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COEXRIGHT DEPOSfT. 



MAINE 

ITS HISTORY, EESOURCES, AND 
GOVERNMENT 



BT 



GLENN WENDELL STARKEY 

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MAINE 




SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY 

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO 






Copyright, 1920, by 
(ilLVER, BUUDETT AND COMPANY 



5tPl3 1S20 ©CU576364 



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PREFACE 

In the preparation of this book for use as a text in the upper 
grammar grades and the high school, an attempt has been made 
at all times to keep clearly in mind one definite purpose — 
the presentation in as concise and readable a manner as possible 
of a general view of the historical and industrial development of 
Maine in the form of a connected story, without branching out 
from the main thoroughfare into innumerable byways of de- 
tail. It has been impossible to digress, even to include a few 
incidents of the most unusual interest, because they do not 
bear strongly upon the principal events either as direct causes 
or effects. 

Moreover, the well-known fact is recognized that the human 
interest storj^ is most eagerly read, while lists of dates and the 
bare record of events furnish little attraction for red-blooded 
active boys and girls such as those who will read these pages. 
At the same time history cannot be written without making 
use of the chronological element to a sufficient extent to estabUsh 
clearly the record of growth and progress. When Part I of this 
book has been completed by the pupil, it is hoped that he may 
have in mind a fairly vivid idea of the whole story of Maine, 
and will be able to retell the plot exactly as if he had been read- 
ing an absorbing narrative of adventure. 

No emphasis has been placed upon the local history of any 
particular town or city. This text is not, therefore, in any 
sense intended as a reference book. Omissions have been made, 
and made purposely, of many important items which some 
readers will say should have been included. The wealth of 
material is so great that the selection made by one would rarely, 
if ever, agree with that of another ; but, if it is desired to trace 
the complete record of Maine more minutely, reference may be 
made to the more pretentious works to be found in the nearest 

iii 



IV PREFACE 

well-equipped public library. So comprehensive a course, 
however, is not advisable for the average pupil in the schools, 
whose time is already very much assigned, and who, at best, 
can assimilate only a small part of what might easily be placed 
before him. 

The careful study of local history from first-hand sources is 
recommended as the best method of interesting the pupil in 
the broader phases of the subject. There is scarcely a town in 
Maine which can be said to be devoid of historical material 
worthy of investigation. The suggestions which are given on 
a following page will be found useful as a basis for such study, 
and the proposed outline may be expanded almost indefinitely 
in many towns which are especially rich in the lore of the past. 
The present must not, however, be forgotten in considering 
what has taken place in other years. A study of the Maine of 
to-day is, if possible, even more intensely interesting than the 
record of its earlier development. 

Part II of this book deals more particularly with the present 
period of industrial prosperity. All that ha^ gone before has 
been simply a story of preparation for the day in which we are 
now living. The great natural resources of Maine have al- 
ready been brought into use to a remarkable degree. Some of 
them have doubtless reached the height of their utilization and 
can scarcely be expected to show further gains, but others have 
been developed only to a small fraction of their potential use- 
fulness. No greater service can be rendered to the state by the 
youth of this generation than to cultivate a spirit of pride in 
Maine, — its past, its present, and its future, — and a deter- 
mination to make the best possible use of the opportunities 
which it offers. 

In Part III is developed a brief summary of the central and 
local government of Maine. The knowledge of how public 
affairs are administered and the bearing wliich they have 
upon the citizens of a state as individuals is one of the most 
important and compelling duties in these days when so many 
influences are abroad, seeking in more or less insidious ways to 
cast suspicion and doubt upon the processes of organized gov- 



PREFACE V 

ernment. The purpose and necessity of control and regula- 
tion of the relations of all citizens with each other as a part 
of the great social fabric of the nation should be clearly under- 
stood, as well as the methods employed to give every one an 
opportunity to express his own personal ideas so long as they 
do not interfere with and disrupt the inalienable rights of others. 
This principle of judicious restraint apphes to the smallest unit 
of society — the family — and to every other unit therefrom 
through the school, the town, the state, and the nation. When 
each individual recognizes this one fundamental civic principle 
of personal conduct and responsibihty to others, we shall have 
accompHshed the true end of democracy and may look forward 
to a fuller realization of our claim to the position as the best- 
governed country on earth. 

Glenn Wendell Starkey. 

Augusta, Maine, 
July 14, 1920. 



GENERAL OUTLINE FOR THE STUDY OF 
LOCAL HISTORY 

1. Find out when your town was first settled, by whom, and in what 
part. 

2. How did it get its present name ? Was it ever known by another 
name? 

3. When was it incorporated ? Was it ever part of another town or 
was any other town ever a part of it ? 

4. By talking with people who have lived in the town longest or who 
are descendants from early settlers, find out everything possible 
of interest in connection with the early history of the town. Has 
your town any reason for particular historical distinction ? 

5. Many towns have a printed history. Has yours? If so, try to 
get a copy of it for study. 

6. What were the first public buildings — fort, garrison house, town 
hall, church? Are any of those first buildings still standing? 

7. What was the first industry aside from farming, which was, of 
course, the earliest business in most Maine towns? What are 
the present industries? When were they established? How 
many workmen does each employ ? About how much is the annual 
value of their product? Have there at any time been other in- 
dustries in the town which are no longer in operation? What 
caused them to give up business? 

8. Look into the war record of your town. How many Civil War 
veterans are still living in it ? How many men enlisted from your 
town in army or navy during the World War? How many were 
drafted ? How many died in service ? Did any one from your 
town receive a war medal or other mark of distinguished service ? 

9. What men or women who have received state or national recog- 
nition in any line of work were born in your town or have made 
their home there? 

10. Make a scrapbook in as attractive form as possible containing 
a record of all you learn about your local history, and include 
in it pictures of past and present interest, together with such 
other material of historical nature as you may be able to get. 
Carefully preserve this book. It is recommended that each 
school also make up such a book and place it in the library for 
future reference and additions. As years go by, the value of such 
a record increases because many of the people who know most 
about early history are passing away each year, and, therefore, it 
becomes more and more difficult to get accurate details of early 
events unless there is available a written or printed record. 

vi 



SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS FOR USE OF 

THIS TEXT 

The necessary limits of any book intended for use as a school text 
make it impossible to include more than a small part of the material 
which pupils should have presented to them. Especially is this true 
of a book which deals with a great variety of subject matter such as 
contained in this volume. Teachers should be guided in its use, there- 
fore, by the instructions received from principals and superintendents 
as to the amount of time to be devoted to the subjects of history and 
civics and to the methods employed in presenting each. 

If there be no definite assignment in the school program of the upper 
grammar grades or high school for Maine history and government, 
the book may well serve as a supplementary reader, for outside read- 
ing assignments, or as a basis for a certain amount of language work. 
The importance of a knowledge of the three main divisions of subject 
matter herein contained is, however, deemed sufficiently great to 
warrant the taking of at least a minimum number of minutes per week 
for the purpose of bringing to the attention of Maine boys and girls 
the salient facts relative to the development of their own state. 

One of the greatest benefits to be derived from the study of the 
following pages will be the arousing of a desire for the further investi- 
gation of many of the items to which it has been possible to make only 
the briefest reference. Teachers will be able from their own knowledge 
and experience to amplify the text and can, through discussion of the 
subject, bring out numerous points of great interest and of the highest 
permanent value. 

The exercises at the close of each chapter are designed to suggest 
further study of the topics under consideration. Answers to most of 
the questions can be found in the text. Footnotes refer to outside 
sources needed in answering questions based on the latest statistical 
matter. Many questions will bring forth others of a similar nature 
and can easily be expanded, almost indefinitely, by the teacher who 
seeks to arouse a real interest in the subject. At all times the local 
application of the ideas presented should be kept in mind. Especially 
should care be taken that the section on government be approached 
from this point of view. There is ample opportunity to lead pupils, 
whatever their stage of maturity, to see how the machinery of govern- 
ment is organized to reach every individual, and to bring them to a 

vii 



vm SUGGESTIONS FUR THE USE OF THIS TEXT 

realization of the part which each must play in making his own town or 
community a good place in which to live. 

Entirely aside from the workings of the machinery of state govern- 
ment, which each pupil in Maine ought to know, at least in its most 
elementary phases, the field of community civics is almost as broad as 
life itself. Such subjects as good roads, good schools, good health and 
sanitation may very properly be given a prominent place in connec- 
tion with the study of those sections of the book which deal with 
closely related topics in the several departments of local and state 
government. Only in this way will it be possible to make the study 
of civics a really vital and interesting subject to boys and girls who 
have not yet reached the age at which such things as the bare facts of 
governmental activities and responsibilities have in themselves a 
strong appeal. 

There can be no more important function of the school than the 
instilling of a right attitude toward public affairs in the minds of those 
who are to compose the state's future citizenship. Teachers have, 
therefore, a greater opportunity and a greater responsibility than any 
other group in this most vital part of the program for making the 
United States a nation whose people are law-abiding and whose high 
ideals are expressed in their manner of living. It is with the hope that 
this book may contribute specifically to such an end that it is placed 
in the hands of teachers for use in their schools. 



CONTENTS 

PART I 
THE STORY OF MAINE 

CHAPTER PAGE 

1. The Earliest Exploration and Settlement . . 3 
II. Further Settlement and Union with Massachu- 
setts . . . . . . . . .11 

III. The French and Indian Wars ..... 21 

IV. The Revolution and the End of Maine as a 

Province ........ 38 

V. A Century of Statehood ...... 47 

VI. History of Education in Maine .... 67 

VII. The Present Educational System in Maine . . 75 

VIII. Some op Maine's Noted Men and Women . . 103 



PART n 

MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

I. Geography and Transportation 
II. Agricultural and Industrial Maine 



113 
128 



II. 
III. 



PART III 
THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

Local Self-Government 

Section I. The Town . 

Section II. The City . 
The County Government . 
How the State Is Governed 

Section I. The Departments of Government 

Section II. The Work of the Courts 

ix 



163 
165 
174 
179 
183 
183 
193 



X CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

IV. State Officers and Their Work .... 197 
Section I. Officials and Commissions . . 197 
Section II. Public Money and Its Expendi- 
ture 229 

V. How We Elect Our Officers ..... 234 

VI. Maine's Future through Good Government . . 243 

APPENDIX 

Constitution of the State of Maine — 

Preamble .......... i 

Article I. Declaration of Rights . . . . i 

Governors of Maine Since the Adoption of the State 

Constitution ......... iv 

Reference Table of Statistics ...... iv 

Index ............ ix 



MAINE 

ITS HISTORY, RESOURCES, AND GOVERNMENT 

PART I 
THE STORY OF MAINE 




MAP OF 

MAINE 



PART I 

CHAPTER I 
THE EARLIEST EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT 

A Common Mismiderstanding. Most people are inclined to 
think of the State of ]Maine as having been a well-defined unit 
of the United States ever since the time when the first settle- 
ments were made in this country, or at least since the original 
colonies were established. As a matter of fact, however, its 
boundaries have been in dispute over a long period of j-ears. It 
is natural that we should look at the outline of the state with its 
strongly indented seacoast, its fairly regular western border, 
its arched and curving northern boundaiy line, and its well- 
established eastern limits, just as it is represented on the 
accompanying map, and take it as a matter of course that its 
contour was smiilar to its present form from the beginning. 
But, were we to take the time and effort to follow through a 
series of sketches showing the various boundary changes, we 
should soon discover that many of us are now living in territory 
which for years was under control first of one nation and then 
of another, with no settled status and no guarantee that it 
would ever belong finally to the great country of which we are 
now a part. 

Visitors from Northern Europe. We cannot know certainly 
when or by whom any part of the territory now included in Maine 
was first visited by white men. There is reason to beheve 
that men, coming by way of the island of Greenland from some 
northern European country, explored several places on our 
coast long before Christopher Columbus discovered America 
in 1492. It may have been as much as five hundred years 
before that date. However, we have no means of knowing 

3 



4 THE STORY OF MAINE 

that fact even though we may be reasonably sure that there 
were white visitors to our shores much earUer than those of 
whom we have authentic record. If this is true, then un- 
doubtedly to Maine belongs the distinction of having been the 
first bit of the present territory of the United States to be seen 
by inhabitants of the Old World. Those brave and adven- 
turous souls coming from northern Europe by way of Iceland 
and Greenland probably first reached the shores of Labrador and 
the island of Newfoundland, and thence followed the coast 
southward as far, perhaps, as Cape Cod in Massachusetts. 
These statements cannot be accepted as established facts be- 
cause of lack of really substantial evidence, but in a study of 
the history of Maine we should not overlook an interesting in- 
cident of this kind for which there is at least some foundation. 

Maine's Peculiar Location. Look for a moment at a relief 
map of North America and see if you can find Maine. You 
will note that it is more or less difficult to trace its boundaries 
even though you have many times examined maps on which 
they are clearly indicated. There is no natural dividing line 
on a large part of its border, as is the case with many states, 
which might serve to set it off by itself behind a well-established 
barrier such as a very large river or an extensive chain of 
lakes. This may in part account for the fact that this state, 
destined as it was to become the border state in the most irreg- 
ular corner of the nation, proved to be peculiarly unfortunate 
in its position as a battle-ground over which surged the tide of 
conflict for generations. At the same time, however, this fact 
has contributed much to the interest which attaches to our 
history and has left us rich in the lore of historical happenings 
worthy of study and of preservation as a part of local records 
in nearly every town and city in the commonwealth. 

What Maine Was Like. If we could have traveled about in 
the days before the colonists began to arrive and to attempt 
settlements within our present limits, we should have found 
practically the whole area of Maine one vast wilderness, with 
magnificent forests stretching northward from the coast and 
covering the fine farms that we now see about us on every hand. 



THE EARLIEST EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT 5 

The splendid rivers and countless, beautiful lakes, however, 
would have looked much as they do to-day except for the dams 
which have been built and the storage basins formed by them in 
many localities. The rivers probably flowed somewhat more 
swiftly, and rapids were more numerous than now. Forest 
trees overhung the banks of the streams everywhere in place 
of the miles of cleared land that now form their background, 
and wild animals of every description, many of them at present 
almost entirely unknown to us, roamed unafraid through the 



4 




m .^M,;^m.^^.^mL : % «»^ ' i - ■; J 





A Headland on the Maine Coast 

Lighthouses, similar to this one, dot the strongly indented shore-line. 

dense growth and swam or forded the waters which happened 
to come in their path. That lakes and rivers and streams and 
ocean were fairly alive with fish in those days needs scarcely to 
be mentioned. Even to-day one of Maine's great resources is 
the abundance of fish and game which annually brings thousands 
of hunters and fishermen from all parts of the land to trail its 
deer and moose in the hope of carrying home a prize, or to cast 
and troll for the wary trout and salmon in some of the thousands 
of inland lakes or streams. Along the coast and in the lower 
reaches of the principal rivers a multitude of people pursue 



6 THE STORY OP^ MAINE 

fishing as a regular business for which the value of the catch 
runs yearly into millions of dollars. 

The Indians. Like practically all the northern part of our 
continent Maine was inhabited by Indians. Some writers 
estnnate their number as high as 30,000 at the time when the 
first white settlers began to appear shortly after the year 1600, 
but we have no means of knowing how accurate that estimate 
may be. It is certain, however, that several strong and popu- 
lous tribes held sway in different sections of the state and later 
made their power felt in ways which the white men found far 
from agreeable, although at times the two races lived together 
for years without serious conflict. The records which have come 
down to us indicate that the members of the Indian tribes which 
inhabited Maine were for the most part vigorous and of per- 
haps more than average stature. The rigor of the climate and 
the consequent necessity of more strenuous exercise, together 
with the added hardships of the preparations for the winter 
season, no doubt contributed to a physical development some- 
what more marked than that observed in the tribes farther 
south. 

First Record of Exploration and Settlement. There are con 
flicting claims as to the place which should have the honor of 
being the first to receive a colony of settlers, or even the first 
to be explored and claimed by any of the nations which after- 
wards made permanent settlements in Maine. Probably there 
IS no way in which we can ever definitely determine which claim 
IS inost valid, but there is more or less foundation for believing 
t^iat Verrazano, an Itahan, Gomez, a Spaniard, Thevet a 
Frenchman and Rut, an Englishman, voyaged along and 
possibly landed on the coast of Maine during the first half of the 
sixteenth century, even if no thoroughly authenticated record of 
these visits is available. It is generally accepted that Bar- 

l^rZ !^"''''Jf. '^"'^ ^^'^^ ^"S^^^^^ ^"^ ^'^^ched Maine in 
1602. Martin Prmg, an Englishman, is recorded as having 
visited Penobscot Bay in 1603 for the purpose of trading with 
the Indians. Shortly after, George Weymouth, also an English- 
man, explored the Maine coast from Monhegan to the mouth 



THE EARLIEST EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT 7 

of the Kennebec. One of the blackest deeds of our early history 
is placed at the door of Weymouth when he took advantage of 
the friendliness and trustfulness of the Indians with whom he 
came in contact by enticing five of their number on board his 
ship and carrying them away with him to England. This 
marks the beginning of trouble between the English and the 
Indians in Maine. The part played by Weymouth cannot be 
excused and when we remember that one of the strongest 
characteristics of the Indian was never to forget a favor nor to 
forgive a wrong, we can scarcely wonder that the future rela- 
tions between the red men and the white men were not of the 
most friendly nature. 

Three of Weymouth's captives, upon arrival in England, 
were placed in the family of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and the 
kind treatment which he accorded them availed much in atoning 
for the wrong done them, so that, when they eventually were 
sent back to America, they were of great assistance in bringing 
about a better understanding for a time between the two races. 

While there were doubtless small stations established for 
very brief periods by other venturesome parties of explorers, 
it appears that the first real attempt at a settlement was made 
in 1607 by a colony of about one hundred persons who estab- 
lished themselves at the mouth of the Kennebec River in what 
is now the town of Phippsburg. All of this part of the North 
American continent was claimed at that time by England on the 
strength of explorations by the Cabots and other early English 
voyagers who had landed on this side of the Atlantic. As was 
customary in those days, the king, as ruler and holder of all 
territory claimed as a right of discovery by a subject, gave 
grants of land to companies or individuals for purposes of settle- 
ment and colonization. Usually these grants were given as 
payment for services or as favors to influential noblemen and 
were bestowed with lavish hand. To them great tracts, com- 
prising thousands of square miles with only the most general 
limits, were thus parceled out by royal grant and with little 
thought of the vastness of the enterprise, since these lands, 
located as they were on the other side of the ocean, were sup- 



8 THE STORY OF MAINE 

posedly of little value except as a means of satisfying royal 
obligations and affording opportunity for adventure to those 
who were ever looking for something new. 

Thus it was that Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Sir John Popham, 
as members of the Plymouth Company, received from King 
James I the right of the control of an enormous tract of terri- 
tory which included all of the present New England states and 
much besides. The colony which settled at the mouth of the 
Kennebec was led by George Popham, brother of Sir John, and 
the name Popham Beach, in the town of Phippsburg, com- 
memorates the name of the leader of this early settlement. 
The colonists erected a number of buildings and intended to 
make this a permanent place of abode and a center from which 
other settlements should be made. They soon found, however, 
that Maine winters, without adequate protection against their 
severity, were not to their liking and they became so discour- 
aged, after the hardships they were called upon to endure, that 
they abandoned the whole plan and, rather than try again in a 
less rigorous climate farther south, they returned to England. 
Popham himself had become ill and died, and this no doubt 
was a potent reason also for their withdrawal. At any rate it 
marked the end of that settlement and no other of consequence 
was attempted for several years. 

The French and Acadia. In the meantime the French had 
been very active in establishing a trade with the Indians farther 
north and east. They had planted a thriving colony at Port 
Royal in Nova Scotia and, by fair and kind treatment of the 
Indians in that section, had gained their confidence and suc- 
ceeded in laying the foundation of a permanent and most 
profitable business with them. France laid claim, by reason of 
explorations of the St. Lawrence River, to all the territory tril)u- 
tary to it and a great deal beyond. These claims conflicted with 
those of the English, who regarded the entire coast and all the 
country west as rightfully belonging to them by right of dis- 
covery. When, therefore, grants of enormous tracts of land and 
trading privileges therein were made by both the English and 
French sovereigns, it naturally developed that much of the 



THE EARLIEST EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT 9 



territory included in these grants became a source of dispute. 
In spite of the tremendous size of the area involved and the com- 
paratively small number of people who were interested directly 
in the question of ownership or control, there arose before long 
serious friction and jealousy. Attempts at colonization by 
subjects of one country were looked upon by the other as in- 
vasions of their domains. We shall see the result of the con- 
troversy arising from these 
rival claims as we pursue 
further the development of 
the country during the cen- 
tury and more which inter- 
vened between the time of 
the settlements just men- 
tioned and the beginning 
of our nation's separate 
existence. 

It was in 1604 that Sieur 
de Monts was given a grant 
by the French king which 
covered a large part of 
the eastern coast of North 
America and included all of 
Maine. De Monts made a 
voyage to inspect his do- 
main during the above year 
and brought with him 
Samuel de Champlain, a 
skilled geographer, for the 
purpose of mapping the territory over which he had been 
given control. It is doubtful if he had any idea of its vast 
extent. In the course of their explorations of the Bay of Fundy, 
the Penobscot River, and intermediate points on the Maine 
coast, they came to a large island upon which they bestowed 
the name of Mt. Desert because of the high mountains which 
rose almost from the ocean itself, and because of their lonely 
appearance. 




i(J) C. A. Townsend, Bel fust 



The Champlain Monument on Mt. Desert 
Island 

The bronze tablet reads : In honor of 
Samuel de Champlain, Born in France 
1567, Died at Quebec 1635, A Soldier, 
Explorer and Administrator, who gave 
this island its name. 



10 . THE STORY OF MAINE 

The general name given by the French to all the vast terri- 
tory which they claimed between Cape Breton Island and the 
mouth of the Hudson River was Acadia. Most writers regard 
this name as being a corruption of Arcadia in Greece, while 
others maintain that it came from the name of an Indian tribe. 
It is more likely, however, that neither of these assumptions is 
correct and that the country received its name through the 
very common process of a combination of descriptive words. 
The Indians frequently referred to localities by a certain name 
with a suffix which sounded like " kadie," and that came to be 
regarded as a synonym for " place " until finally the French 
called the country in general " la kadie," a combination of the 
French " la," meaning " the," and '' kadie," meaning " place " 
or " country." This was contracted until the " 1 " was dropped 
and the two words became Acadie or Acadia, 

EXERCISE I 

1. On a plain sheet of paper, and without looking in any book, try 
to draw an outline of the state of Maine. After you have done tliis 
compare your outline with a map of the state and see where you have 
made mistakes. If you are not satisfied, try it again. You should 
have a good outline map in the very front of your scrapbook. 

2. Why would people sailing across the Atlantic from northern 
Europe on a voyage of exploration be likely to reach Maine first 
instead of some other part of the United States? 

3. Why did our rivers flow more swiftly than now at the time when 
the white men first visited Maine? 

4. Why were there wild animals then which we seldom see now? 

5. Have you ever seen Indians? Where? What were they doing? 
What were their habits of life in the olden days and how do they differ 
now? 

6. Put a cross on your map to indicate the island of Monhegan. 
Another to mark Penobscot Bay. Another for the Popham colony. 
Another for Mt. Desert Island. These will help you to remember 
the places where our earliest history began. 

7. Why did people come from France and England to make settle- 
ments in the Maine wilderness ? 

8. Where was the land of Acadia? How did it happen that both 
the French and the English laid claim to the same territory? 



CHAPTER II 

FURTHER SETTLEMENT AND UNION WITH MASSA- 
CHUSETTS 

Maine Becomes Better Known. We have noted in the pre- 
ceding pages the earUest explorations of the Maine coast and 
have seen how the first attempt at estabhshing a permanent 
colony proved of little avail. While there are many records of 
numerous visits to our shores by various men who were either 
sent out on trading expeditions or who undertook such enter- 
prises of their own accord, yet any detailed acccount of these 
is unnecessary for our purpose. It is sufficient that we know 
that a constantly increasing number of people came and went 
for one reasori or another, touching here and there for brief 
periods and becoming better and better acquainted with the 
geography of that part of the state bordering the ocean. 

Relations with the Indians. Few, if any, attempts were 
made to penetrate into the interior for many years except 
by occasional small parties of men who followed up the rivers 
for a few miles with no idea than that of pursuing further trade 
with the Indians, or, perhaps, of finding out something new 
about this land of which no one had yet come to know very 
much. The lack of means of transportation except by boat 
and the fear that the Indians would resent any further invasion 
of their territory made it inexpedient to attempt settlements 
in any place not easily accessible, or from which withdrawal 
could not quickly be made if necessary. Instances of mal- 
treatment of the natives by adventurers who made up the 
crews of many of the trading ships tended to increase the atti- 
tude of hostility toward the English. This made it much more 
difficult for those who were inclined to deal justly with the 
Indians to secure their confidence in any degree. We can, 

11 



12 THE STORY OF MAINE 

scarcely wonder that they should look with suspicion, if not 
with open hatred, upon all members of a race at whose hands 
they had at different times suffered various indignities and 
breaches of faith. 

Trouble with the French. While the English, after the 
failure of Popham's colony in Phippsburg, were slow to make 
attempts at planting others in Maine, the French were con- 
stantly widening their sphere of influence. From Port Royal 
came a small group to make a settlement on the island of Mt. 
Desert, and they proceeded to erect a fort and other buildings. 
When the English heard of this activity, which they considered 
an encroachment upon their rights, they fitted out an expedi- 
tion from the southern colonies and sent several armed vessels 
to drive out the French settlers. This they had little difficulty 
in doing as they were greatly superior in numbers and equip- 
ment and came upon the French unexpectedly. After accom- 
plishing this expulsion from Mt. Desert, the ships proceeded 
to Port Royal and laid waste also that thriving settlement. 

Further Explorations and Settlements. During the period 
from about the year 1615 to 1650 we find record of many settle- 
ments being made and much activity shown in the way of 
developing the various points most suitable for early habita- 
tions along our coast. Gorges was not satisfied to accept as 
final the failure of his first attempt at founding a colony, and 
he sent another group of settlers at great personal expense to 
try again to establish themselves in Maine. This time the 
party met with better success and made Saco their choice in 
the year 1616. From that time there was a handful of colonists 
always located somewhere in the immediate vicinity. 

Capt. John Smith, later so well known on account of the 
fact that his life was saved by the Indian princess, Pocahontas, 
visited our shores with two ships at about this time and ex- 
plored the whole coast as far south as Narragansett Bay. He 
was the first to refer to this part of the country as New England. 

At Pemaquid grew one of our earliest settlements and for a 
long time this place became the center of trade for practically 
all that region to the east and west. Here a thriving fishing 



SETTLEMENT AND UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS 13 

and trading post existed when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth 
Rock in 1620. In fact, it appears that Pemaquid was by far 
the most important and prosperous place on the whole New 
England coast during this period. 

Gorges made still further efforts to develop Maine during 
this time by establishing a colony at York where he had acquired 
a large area by purchase. The Plymouth Company, of which he 
was one of the most influential members, held control of all 
the vast territory of New England, with much more to the south 
and west. Gorges was instrumental in having changes made in 
the charter of the company which made it much more liberal 
to colonists and its powers more definite. The right of settle- 
ment and exclusive trade was granted by the company to several 
groups in various sections of Maine and soon many additional 
trading posts were established. Most of these were not begun 
with any definite idea of becoming permanent colonies, but 
such an object was not necessary to the growth of the country. 

The mouth of the Kennebec, then known as the Sagadahoc, 
offered most favorable opportunities with its fine natural 
harbors. Boothbay was one of the most desirable spots and 
this place, together with Damariscotta, flourished to a greater 
degree than most of the other settlements. Outposts for trade 
were established at some distance up the rivers and settlers 
were constantly pushing farther inland. A trading station 
which did a considerable business had been established as far 
east as Castine, then called Bagaduce, near the mouth of the 
Penobscot. It appears that during these years very little 
trouble arose with the Indians, and so long as this neighborli- 
ness continued, the white men found little difl^culty in carry- 
ing on their trade with good results. 

Maine Boundaries Fixed. The Plymouth Company, which 
controlled so much of the territory in the northeastern part of 
this count ly, gave up its charter in 1635 and all of its exten- 
sive domain was divided into provinces. Four of these were in 
Maine and thus, for the first time, some fairly definite boundaries 
were established. The St. Croix River was fixed as the eastern 
line of Maine iind the Pis^iitaqua a§ the western. These 



14 THE STORY OF MAINE 

remain to-day as the eastern and western boundaries of the 
state, but we shall see later how long a period elapsed before the 
struggle ceased between England and France for possession and 
control of that part of the territory which lies between the 
Penobscot and the St. Croix. Many a bloody battle was fought 
over the ownership of the land which now comprises Hancock 
and Washington counties and a part of Penobscot. At this 
time no attempt was made to define a northern boundary, while 
the southern limit was determined by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Gorges, Governor of New England. In the reorganization 
which followed the dissolution of the Plymouth Company, 
Sir Ferdinando Gorges was appointed governor of all New 
England, then a much larger territory than that so designated 
at the present time. ' It is interesting to note that Gorges was 
never able to visit his territory on this side of the Atlantic. 
He gave evidence, however, of very great interest in Maine, 
even though he had suffered severe financial losses in his at- 
tempts to establish colonies here, and also in spite of the fact 
that he received from some of those who returned to England 
most unfavorable reports of the climate and of the resources 
which he felt sure were worth developing. 

Maine Receives Its Name. It was in 1639 that King 
Charles I of England gave to Gorges still more territory than 
that which he already possessed. He included in that grant 
all the territory between the Piscataqua on the west and the 
Kennebec on the east. Up to that time Gorges had owned a 
comparatively small amount of land in this country, although 
he, as governor, controlled an enormously extensive tract. This 
grant, with the limits just mentioned, was called the prov- 
ince of Maine. In this way was the name officially applied 
which later came to be permanent. It will be noted, however, 
that we have already used the name Maine many times, but 
simply as a matter of convenience in referring to what we now 
accept as a matter of course in using that term. When the 
name was bestowed upon the province in 1639, there was 
included in it only the Gorges grant between the Piscataqua 
and the Kennebec, only a small section of the present state of 



SETTLEMENT AND UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS 15 

Maine. The name probably came from the province of Maine 
in France which was an inheritance of the queen of England. 
Some writers, however, hold to the theory that the name was 
given because it was customary to refer to it as the " main " 
or " mainland " in distinction from the many islands. 

Civil War in England and Death of Gorges. Civil war was 
raging in England at this period and, as a result of it, the Ameri- 
can colonies received very little attention from the mother 
country. The whole English system of government was 
tottering, and the people of England had much more important 
matters to engage their attention than the welfare or develop- 
ment of anything on this side of the Atlantic. Three thousand 
miles of water between the two countries were an unpassable 
barrier to free intercourse in those days. 

The result of the war in England was the downfall and execu- 
tion of King Charles I and the setting up of another govern- 
ment under Cromwell. Gorges, who had been active in sup- 
port of the king, was thrown into prison. He was then a man 
well along in years, and although he was released after a time, 
he died very shortly afterward. Thus Maine and New England 
lost one of their most interested friends and promoters. It 
seems strange that his name should not have been perpetuated 
among us, but nowhere do we find a town, city, or county bear- 
ing his name. It is true that, before he became involved in the 
war, he started to carry out a magnificent project by estab- 
lishing a city, with mayor and other officers, at the place which 
is now York, and named the city Gorgeana after himself. The 
settlement, however, was never a great success, and it was 
only a few years before its name was changed to the present 
one. The only other effort to preserve the name was the one 
made in 1909, when there was an attempt to divide the town 
of York and incorporate one section under the name of the 
Town of Gorges. This attempt failed and it now seems un- 
likely that Maine will ever fittingly commemorate the zeal 
and devotion of its early partisan and defender. 

Massachusetts Assumes Jurisdiction over Maine. During 
all this period of neglect by England on account of her own 



16 THE STORY OF MAINE 

troublous existence, affairs had not gone altogether smoothly 
in some of the American colonies. Especially in Maine was 
this true. The French from Nova Scotia had constantly been 
pressing upon the eastern frontier and there was no organized 
government to which an appeal for advice or assistance could 
be directed. About this time the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 
in examining its charter, discovered what might be interpreted 
at least as a reasonable excuse for extending its jurisdiction 
over a large part of the southwestern section of the province of 
Maine. It soon proceeded to take steps to assume control 
of this territory and sent commissioners to establish themselves 
in Maine and to bring the settlers to accept officially the author- 
ity of Massachusetts. 

This move was met by a great deal of opposition, but the 
attitude of many in each settlement favorable to the change, 
combined with the persistent and forceful efforts of the repre- 
sentatives of the Massachusetts colony, finally overcame the 
earlier prejudice of the majority and resulted in the acceptance 
of the program. Thus in 1652 Maine passed under the' juris- 
diction of Massachusetts and became one of its counties under 
the name of Yorkshire, with a right to representation in the 
General Assembly of the colony. 

The French Established at Castine. By this time the French 
had succeeded in dominating practically all of the territory east 
of the Penobscot. They had made the point where Castine is 
now located their headquarters on account of its commanding 
position and* easy accessibility, and had erected fortifications 
there so as to make it a veritable stronghold. The remains 
of these works are still to be seen, and it is not surprising that 
they regarded this position as one from which they could with 
only the greatest difficulty be dislodged. 

Massachusetts Loses Control of Maine but Regains It. The 
people of Maine soon became accustomed to the idea of being 
a part of Massachusetts, but this relation was to exist only for a 
comparatively short time. The reign of Cromwell was short- 
lived and when the monarchy was restored in England with 
Charles II as king, he at once turned his attention to this 



SETTLEMENT AND UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS 17 

part of the American continent and declared his intention 
not to recognize as vaHd certain grants of land which had been 
made here. He issued to his brother James a charter which, 
while indefinite in its provisions, seemed to include a large 
part of Maine under his control. Commissioners were ap- 
pointed who came here and exercised their authority to sepa- 
rate the province from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. For 
twelve years Maine people had felt that at least there was some 




The Harbor of Castine as it Appears To-day 

Because of its strategic importance, Castine figures most prominently in 
Maine history in the varying success of French, British, and American mili- 
tary operations. 

strong and well-organized governmental body to which appeal 
could be made in case the need for protection arose, and they 
now looked with disfavor on the proposal to again take up a 
separate existence. Their protests, however, were in vain and 
once more Maine suffered a change in her status. 

It appears that the commissioners who had charge of these 
affairs knew very little about the organization necessary to 
administer successfully the government of a body of people. 
Public affairs were left in such a chaotic condition that the 
colonists did not know what was expected of them or how to 
meet their obligations toward organized government. As a 
matter of fact there was no, government worth mentioning and 
no authority to command the slightest respect. Conditions 



18 THE STORY OF MAINE 

kept going from bad to worse and reports of the situation reach- 
ing Massachusetts became such as to cause grave concern for 
the welfare of their neighbors on the north. As a result Massa- 
chusetts, in 1668, again proceeded to assume control of Maine 
in spite of the angry protest of the royal representatives and in 
spite of some local opposition. It appears, however, that no 
really serious effort was made by any one to prevent the con- 
summation of this arrangement, and from this time no further 
contention arose over the question of authority within Maine 
borders, so far as the English were concerned. 

The French Extend Their Influence. War had been going 
on in Europe between England and France and, while its effects 
were felt here only in a very slight degree, its close was marked 
by a treaty which gave the French undisputed possession of 
Nova Scotia. This decision left them more than ever in a 
position to prosecute their claims to that part of Maine which 
lay next to their territory. As has been stated, they already 
had gained control in everything except name of the area be- 
tween the Penobscot and the St. Croix. Now they even ven- 
tured to extend their activities as far west as the Kennebec, and 
a mission was established at Norridgewock for the purpose of 
carrying religious teachings to the Indians in that section. 

It is worth noting that the methods of the French in dealing 
with the Indians were entirely different from those of the Eng- 
lish. From the beginning they took advantage of every means 
of gaining the Indians' confidence and good will. Not only 
were the French inclined to be more fair in their business rela- 
tions with the natives but they came also into much more 
general and intimate contact with them. This extended even 
to numerous intermarriages and in many instances the French 
were accepted and seemed perfectly willing to be regarded as 
virtual members of some of the Indian tribes. They lived with 
them as brothers on a basis of equality and mingled with them 
on precisely the same terms as with their own race. This 
naturally led to a condition of affairs such that the French in- 
^uence with the Indians was soon very powerful and was used 
by them to fan into flame the already kindled fires of hatred 



SETTLEMENT AND UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS 19 

for the English, of whose kidnappings and cheating in trade the 
Indians had been the victims. 

It is not unUkely that this feeling was deliberately fostered 
by the French in order that some day it might be of assistance 
to them in driving the English from the country. However, 
be that as it may, the fact remains that the alliance which 
later developed between the Fi-ench and the natives against 
the English was a most powerful one. It resulted in warfare 
the like of which no man ever saw before, and formed the basis 
for some of the most revolting chapters in the history of our 
country. At the same time we must give the French due credit 
for having been able to retain the lasting confidence and support 
of a savage race by friendly means which might well have been 
imitated in some respects, at least, by their other neighbors. 

First Maine Towns Incorporated. In 1675 there were prob- 
ably between five and six thousand white men, women, and 
children in the province of Maine. These were for the most 
part in settlements along the coast between the Piscataqua 
and the Kennebec, but there were numerous scattered families 
also which had established themselves in true pioneer fashion 
at some distance from the more thickly populated centers. 
Of these five were incorporated towns, the first being Kittery, 
which became a town in 1647 and was followed by York in 1652, 
by Wells, Saco, and Cape Porpoise, now Kennebunkport, in 
1653. Many evidences of prosperity were to be seen in acres 
of cleared farms, excellent dwellings, and a few mills. It 
seemed that constant and fairly rapid growth was assured now 
that a settled form of government was established and numer- 
ous centers of industry were well developed. But a heavy 
cloud was fast gathering, although few, if any, realized what a 
terrible storm was at hand. 

EXERCISE n 

1. What were some of the reasons why the Indians came to dis- 
like the English? 

2. What were the reasons for trouble between the English and 
French settlers? 



20 THE STORY OF MAINI2 

3. Mark your map to indicate the location of Saco. It was near 
this place that the second attempt was made by Popham to establish 
a colony. Why do you think they chose that place? 

4. Mark the locations of 'Pemaquid and of York. Both of these 
places were the site of very early settlements. Can you think of any 
reason why? 

5. What was the Plymouth Company and why was it interested 
in the establishing of colonies in Maine? Who was Sir Ferdinando 
Gorges? What did he have to do with the Maine settlements? 

6. Where were other settlements made in Maine very shortly after 
the first ones which we have mentioned? What were some of the 
important factors to be considered in choosing a place to settle ? Were 
any settlements made in the interior of the state? Why? 

7. What were the first t)oundaries mentioned for Maine? Find 
them on the map. Are they the same now ? Was a northern boundary 
fixed at the same time? Why? 

8. How did Maine receive its name ? Was it then a state ? What 
territory was included in Maine at that time ? 

9. What was the first city in Maine? Where was it? Was it 
like our present cities ? Did it prove to be a successful venture ? 

10. Why was the death of Gorges a disadvantage to Maine? What 
was the attitude of England toward her colonies just at this time and 
what effect did it have on Maine? How did the French take ad- 
vantage of the situation? 

11. Why did Massachusetts wish to get control of Maine and how 
did our people feel about it at first and later ? What name was given 
to the province by Massachusetts ? What advantage was it to Maine 
to be a part of Massachusetts? 

12. Why should the war in Europe between England and France 
be of any importance in Maine history? To what extent had the 
French settled in Maine at this time? 

13. What were the relations between the French and the Indians? 
Why should they be different from the relations between the English 
and the Indians ? 

14. When were the first Maine towns incorporated? What were 
they ? How was it done and why ? 



CHAPTER III 
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 

The Indian Mode of Warfare. The period of the Indian wars 
began in June, 1675, when the savages, under King PhiUp, a 
noted and intelHgent chief, began their attacks upon the settlers. 
We need not attempt to describe in any detail the horrors of this 
war. The Indians were thoroughly organized into bands 
which prowled about every settlement in the province. They 
would swoop down upon a lonely farmhouse, and, finding the men 
at work in the field, they would set fire to the buildings. More 
likely than not they would drag women and children into cap- 
tivity or beat out their brains with tomahawks. If the men 
could be found, they would either shoot them down at their 
work or kill them as they rushed in to save their homes from the 
flames which the savages had kindled. It was a favorite part 
of their program to cut and tear the scalp from a dead or even 
a living victim and hang it at their belt as a trophy. He who 
could exhibit the largest number of these scalps was regarded 
as the mightiest warrior. 

In attacking a town the Indians were wont to gather their 

bands in large numbers and approach with the utmost stealth 

so that no alarm might be given the inhabitants and no chance 

offered them to take refuge in the better built houses. They 

rarely attacked openly but preferred to take by surprise and 

strike their dreadful blows before a defense could be organized. 

Everywhere the towns and countryside were laid waste. 

Scarcely a day passed but that the flame from a blazing building 

or smoke from smoldering ruins could be seen. Stories of 

hideous acts of barbarism multiplied and struck terror to the 

hearts of the strongest. 

21 



22 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



Methods of Defense. Garrison houses, forts, and block- 
houses were erected in every town so that the population might 
have a place of greater safety to which they could flee in case 
of attack. Sentinels were kept constantly on the watch as a 
further precaution and no one thought of going out for work or 
pleasure unarmed. On the Sabbath the men carried their 
guns to church as regularly as if that were a part of their religion. 










The Garrison House at York, Built in 1635 

The overhanging second story permitted the defenders to beat off the stealthy 
approach of Indians to the house itself. The garrison could fire through loop- 
holes in the projecting floor without exposing themselves at the windows. 

People lived in momentary fear of a savage attack at any hour 
of the day or night. 

Soon expeditions were organized to meet the Indians and 
give battle wherever they could be found. It seemed that 
they had determined either to exterminate the whites or drive 
them entirely out of the territory. They were, no doubt, seek- 
ing to take revenge for the wrongs, real and imaginary, they 
had suffered at the hands of the English, and the innocent as 
well as the guilty were alike murdered and massacred. The 
feeling that the whites were gradually taking their lands from 
them also was a potent factor in increasing the fires of hatred. 



THE FRENCll AND INDIAN WARS 23 

On their part the settlers considered that it was a case of killing 
as many Indians as possible or allowing themselves to be wiped 
out of existence. Massachusetts sent companies of soldiers to 
assist in the campaigns and through more than three years, at 
longer or shorter intervals, the war was carried on with the 
greatest ferocity on both sides. 

The Indians were far more cunning in their methods than 
the English. They employed all kinds of tricks to get the 
advantage of their opponents and frequently succeeded by 
one ruse or another in enticing their pursuers into ambuscades 
from which few came out alive. They treated their captives 
with the most extreme cruelty, often subjecting them to terrible 
tortures such as burning them alive or cutting them in pieces 
with their tomahawks while the warriors performed a war 
dance accompanied by savage battle cries and horrible yells 
of exultation. Little wonder that the settlers preferred to 
fight to the death rather than endure capture with its certain 
horrible fate, and little wonder that they came to make use of 
any means of putting an end to every native whom they might 
be able to reach. 

Peace. King Philip's death in battle, August 12, 1676, and 
the exhaustion of both Indians and whites, led after nearly two 
years of pitiless struggle to a peaceful understanding. In the 
treaty the English recognized the claim of the natives to a part 
of the revenue from their lands and a small rental to be paid in 
produce was agreed upon. The Indians, while not successful 
in exterminating the English, had inflicted terrible damage 
upon them both in life and property and had demonstrated 
their power in war to an extent that had not heretofore been 
considered. This ended King Philip's War and for the period 
of a decade there was again prosperity in the land. 

The French Join Forces with the Indians. England and 
France had long looked upon each other as rivals in Europe, and 
in 1689 war broke out between the two countries. On our 
own continent the subjects of the two nations were soon strug- 
gling with each other. An expedition was fitted out which cap- 
tured Port Royal in Nova Scotia and made an unsuccessful 



24 ' THE STORY OF MAINE 

attempt to capture Quebec in Canada. It soon became evident 
that the French had made good use of their influence with the 
Indians to wage a joint warfare against the EngHsh. No 
doubt it was easy to convince the natives that together they 
could easily drive the English out of the country and restore 
it to its former owners. Such a result was exactly what the 
Indians most desired and they did not hesitate to ally them- 
selves with the French when such a supposed opportunity 
presented itself. 

Once more Maine was subjected to all the horrors of savage 
warfare. The French and Indians fought together side by 
side like brothers. If possible, the effects upon the English 
colonists were more deplorable than when their antagonists had 
been the Indians alone. Now the knowledge of the science of 
warfare on the part of the French combined with the cunning 
of the Indians rendered the situation so precarious for the Eng- 
lish that they scarcely knew how to meet it. Massachusetts, on 
several occasions, sent reinforcements for the garrisons of 
the different towns and offered assistance in every way pos- 
sible, but the French and Indians invariably outnumbered the 
defending forces and were fully as well armed. Their attacks 
were made at unexpected times and places with the result that 
town after town was laid waste, their buildings reduced to 
ashes, and large numbers of their inhal^itants either massacred 
or carried into a dreadful captivity. Nowhere in the province 
was it possible for a person to go to bed at night without the 
fear of awakening to hear the savage warwhoop and see houses 
in flames. Smaller settlements were abandoned rather than 
attempt to maintain a sufficient garrison to guarantee even 
a reasonable security. 

There seemed great danger that no vestige of English habi- 
tation would be left in the whole province unless a stronger en- 
deavor were made to check the ravages of the enemy. With this 
in mind a force was dispatched to a point near Pemaquid where a 
very large and substantial stone fort was constructed at great 
cost. This was considered as at least one spot from which it 
would not be possible for the French and Indians to dislodge the 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 25 

colonists and which could hold out indefinitely against attack. 
The hope was short lived. A large and well-armed body of 
the natives and French appeared not long after the completion 
of the fortress, which was called Fort William Henry, and it 
was surrendered with little show of resistance when the defenders 
were informed of the numbers of the attacking party and their 
amount of storming equipment. 

The expedition which brought about the fall of Fort William 
Henry was led in part by a French officer. Baron de Castine, 
who had come to America to serve in a campaign against the 
Indians in the St. Lawrence Valley. Later he had taken up 
his residence on the east side of the Penobscot at the place 
which now bears his name, preferring to remain here rather 
than return to his native land. He came to be recognized by 
the Indians of that locality as one of their firm friends and he 
attained a high position of leadership among them. He even 
married the daughter of Madockawando, chieftain of the Penob- 
scot tribe, and for years lived as one of them, apparently without 
thought of resuming his former life. He was smarting under 
the indignities which had been forced upon him through English 
attacks on his Penobscot settlement, and no doubt welcomed 
the opportunity to assist in the destruction of the Pemaquid 
stronghold by cooperating with the French war vessels in the 
naval attacking fleet under DTberville. 

Fort William Henry was the most expensive and the strongest 
fortification ever built by the English on American soil. By 
its capture the French removed one of the greatest obstacles 
to their progress in securing possession of the territory which 
they claimed between the Penobscot and the Kennebec. It is 
worthy of note that in their attack use was made of the bomb- 
shell, a weapon of war with which the English were apparently 
entirely unfamiliar, and the havoc wrought by these shells when 
they burst within the fort was such as to cause the greatest con- 
sternation. After its capture the cannons were removed from 
the fort and it was demolished as completely as possible. Some 
years later another was erected on the same site, but this was 
torn down by the citizens of Pemaquid early in the Revolu- 



26 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



tionary War for fear that it might be taken by the British and 
used as a base for miHtary operations against that part of the 
colony. 

Exceedingly interesting reading beyond the limits of this 
book can be found concerning the efforts made since the be- 
ginning of the present century to unearth the ruins of these 
old forts, and to explain the many curious things which have 
developed in the course of the work of excavation. It was 
in 1893 that the discovery was made of the remains of this 




The Restored West Castle of Fort William Henry 

fortress, long forgotten and buried, as it was for more than 
a hundred years, under the debris of stones, mortar, and dirt 
which had gradually accumulated. Now, through action of 
several interested private individuals and with the help of a 
small appropriation by the state, the castle at the west corner 
of the fort has been restored, so far as possible, to its original 
condition. It is used as a museum for the preservation and 
exhibition of relics, found everywhere in the vicinity of that 
most historic settlement. Among other highly interesting 
discoveries are the remains of streets paved with curiously 
shaped cobblestones, the origin and use of which it has been 



THE VrENCH and INDIAN WARS 27 

impossible to ascertain with any certainty. This paving has 
been unearthed in the process of other similar excavation and 
furnishes one more detail of evidence that at Pemaquid is the 
site of a civilized settlement fully as old as any in the northern 
part of our country. 

Maine's Condition at Close of the War. For ten long weary 
years the war continued. At the end of that time France and 
England declared peace and shortly after the signing of the 
treaty in Europe the hostilities ceased in this country. While the 
fighting had not been going on constantly and short truces had, 
from time to time, been arranged with the Indians, the colonists, 
nevertheless, realized that the French in that long period were 
continuously at work urging the savages to further depredations. 
The ever present fear of these new outbreaks kept the settlers 
from undertaking any general plan of rebuilding the towns 
that had been destroyed. Not a settlement had escaped 
attack and but few had not been so ravaged as to present an 
extremely unattractive prospect. The courage and enthusi- 
asm of the settlers was at a low ebb. Their numbers had 
dwindled, and it is not surprising that no great rush occurred to 
take up living again amid the scenes of carnage which they 
had so lately beheld. Especially was this true since the colonists 
had no assurance, despite the declaration of peace, that the same 
tragedies would not be reenacted at almost any time and the 
horrors repeated. 

This sense of insecurity was more keen because the treaty of 
peace between the two countries did not define the eastern 
limits of Maine, despite the boundary dispute of long standing, 
and the French still laid claim to the territory as far west as the 
Penobscot. It was evident -that more trouble was in store be- 
cause of the failure to settle properly the designation of this line 
between Maine and Nova Scotia. 

Queen Anne's War. For about four years no open conflict 
developed and gradually the ruined towns were rebuilt. Out- 
lying farms were again occupied and the log cabins of the 
pioneers once more dotted the clearings. These peaceful times 
were of short duration, however, as England and France could 



28 THE STORY OF MAINE 

not long refrain from war in those days. What was known 
as Queen Anne's War in this country broke out in 1702 and for 
ten years longer the fighting raged much as before. We need 
not dwell upon its details except to state that all the progress 
that had been made in rebuilding Maine's shattered settle- 
ments was more than offset by the destruction which was 
visited anew upon them. The colonists, however, prosecuted 
a much stronger offensive in this war than in any of those pre- 
ceding, with the result that much of the French territory in 
eastern Canada was taken, and when the war ended, in 1713, 
one very important matter was settled. That was the fixing 
of the eastern boundary of Maine at the St. Croix River rather 
than at the Penobscot or the Kennebec as had many times 
seemed to be the most likely outcome. 

A New Era. With the close of this war there seemed to arise 
in the minds of many people a much greater feeling of con- 
fidence for the future than had heretofore prevailed. In spite 
of the terrors of the conflicts which had so recently absorbed 
the strength and energies not only of the inhabitants of Maine 
but also of the other northern colonies, the desire to extend 
the settlement of the lands to the north and east caused a rapid 
growth in those directions. In a remarkably short space of 
time we find that the older towns had resumed much of their 
former prosperity, and new ventures were constantly being 
made even as far east as the Penobscot. Forts and garrison 
houses were erected in considerable numbei's, and all indica- 
tions pointed to the determination of these new settlers to make 
their stay permanent. This stage in the development of 
Maine marked the real turning point in its existence and really 
was the beginning of the end of the Indian power, even though 
it was to be many years yet before they were definitely reduced 
to a harmless position and their power finally overthrown. 

The ever increasing evidences of the determination of the 
white men to take up permanent residence in Maine caused 
great unrest among the natives. They saw new settlements 
being established and the older ones becoming larger each year. 
Farms were being cleared and the outposts constantly extended 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 29 

farther inland, while the forts lent a very substantial aspect 
to the advance of the whites. One of these, built of stone, 
was erected -at Augusta, then called Cushnoc, and another 
strong one was raised at Thomaston. Both of these places were 
then on the frontier line and marked practically the limit of 
advance in those directions. Towns were laid out at Bruns- 
wick, Topsham, Harpswell, and Georgetown. It was only 
natural that all these activities should be looked upon by the 
Indians as encroachments upon the territory which rightfully 
belonged to them. As might be expected, they did not relish the 
prospect of being forced gradually to give up possession of all 
they held most dear to a race of foreigners. 

The Waning Power of the Indians. There was little charity 
on the part of the English toward the natives whenever any 
acts of theirs could possibly be construed as being of a hostile 
nature. On numerous occasions trivial infractions of the peace 
treaty were recorded, but they were evidently perpetrated by 
individuals and without the approval of the tribes. Some 
rather more flagrant cases of disregard for treaty agreements 
finally served to cause the sending of troops to hunt out and 
punish the offenders. This move was met by the Indians with 
retaliatory attacks in different localities and ere long another 
war was in progress. The year 1722 saw very general activity 
on both sides, but the Indians were far from the effective fight- 
ing condition which had made them such dangerous foes in 
former conflicts. They succeeded in destroying an immense 
amount of property and in killing a considerable number of the 
settlers, but at no time was there the same terror-stricken 
attitude among the colonists that had marked the earlier cam- 
paigns of the savages. With a greatly superior force on the 
side of the settlers, both in men and equipment, there was 
slight chance that the Indians would be able to do much more 
than carry on a desultory warfare, over however long a 
period. 

Rasle and the Norridgewock Settlement. At Norridge- 
wock, on the Kennebec, some forty miles up the river from 
Augusta, a French missionary by the name of Sebastian Rasle 



30 THE STORY OF MAINE 

had for many years maintained headquarters for the religious 
instruction of the Indians. From his youth to old age Rasle 
maintained the confidence and love of the natives to a re- 
markable degree, and they depended upon him almost as a 
prophet to advise and direct them in all their undertakings. He 
was a well-educated man and one who came from a refined 
family. Yet he chose to cast his lot with these savage tribes 
and to serve them in the midst of the wilderness rather than 
return to France where he might have lived a life of comparative 
ease. His devotion to his adopted people had long been com- 
mented upon by the English, and they well knew how great 
was his influence with the Indians. They considered that he 
was in large part responsible for the demands which the natives 
had made and stoutly maintained when the several treaties 
were entered into at the close of the Indian wars. Not only 
did they thus think of him as the Indians' leader in formu- 
lating their peace program, but they also accused him of direct- 
ing their warfare and helping them to plan their raids uj^on 
the white settlements. 

In time the English grew more and more suspicious of Rasle 
and his power which meant treachery to the colonists. They 
determined, therefore, to put an end to his sway over the 
actions of the Indians. An expedition was sent against the 
Norridgewock settlement for the express purpose of capturing 
Rasle alive or dead, but in some way he learned of the move 
and fled with his faithful followers to some unknown spot 
still deeper in the vast forests. In 1724 another and even 
stronger expedition was sent, and this time it succeeded in 
reaching Norridgewock without any knowledge of the impend- 
ing danger warning away the aged missionary or his friends. 

With the utmost stealth the party approached, and finding 
their coming entirely unsuspected, made a sudden attack upon 
the little village. Practically every one of the inhabitants 
was either killed or taken prisoner. Father Rasle was among 
those who lost their lives fighting in the defense of their homes. 
The village was practically destroyed by the conflagration 
started by the soldiers as a climax to their successful raid, and 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 



31 



even the little church which the devout missionary had raised 
among his people was not spared. 

To-day there stands not far from the quiet little village of 
Norridgewock, upon the site of Rasle's chapel, a granite monu- 
ment bearing his name. Whatever may have been the opinion 
of those who, in the 
stress of those stir- 
ring times, felt that 
they were suffering 
as a result of his 
influence with the 
Indians, the passing 
of many years has 
erased this preju- 
dice from the book 
of memory and now 
Rasle is recognized 
generally as a self- 
sacrificing soul who 
gave his whole life, 
even to death it- 
self, for the better- 
ment of his Indian 
neighbors. 

Lovewell's War. 
Another incident of 
this war which is 
perhaps worthy of special mention is that known as "Lovewell's 
fight." Captain John Lovewell was the leader of an expedi- 
tion against the Indians in western Maine and eastern New 
Hampshire. They had proceeded a long distance into the 
wilderness when it seemed best to build a crude fort and leave 
behind a number of those who had become ill. Lovewell 
proceeded farther with a small detachment of men and finally 
came upon the Indians not far from the body of water now 
known as Lovewell's Pond in the town of Fryeburg. The 
Indians greatly outnumbered the whites, and in spite of the 




The Rasle Monument 



32 THE STORY OF ^MAINE 

fact that several, including Captain Lovewell himself, were 
shot dead at the very beginning of the fight, the remainder 
resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. They fought 
from behind trees, stumps, and rocks in true Indian fashion, 
with their backs to the pond so that they could not be sur- 
rounded. All day they held off the savages, many suffering 
with wounds and others being killed, but the remainder had no 
idea of being taken captives and put to death by horrible 
tortures. So stubborn was their defense and so effective their 
well-directed fire upon their foes that at nightfall the Indians 
withdrew completely all attacks. The remnants of the little 
band finally returned to the fort and later arrived safely home, 
much to the relief of their friends and relatives who had received 
word of the ambuscade by the savages from which no man was 
expected to come out alive. 

The Surrender of the Indians. After four years of more or 
less intermittent warfare the conflict came to a grateful close. 
This was in 1725. By the terms of the treaty the Indians 
were forced to give up practically all their claims to the terri- 
tory in which the English had established themselves and to 
that contiguous to it. The war had left the tribes in no posi- 
tion to press any coimterclaims as they had lost large numbers 
of their best young warriors. Worse than that, they had been 
unable to plant and harvest their usual crops in preparation for 
the long winters because of the many successful raids made upon 
their villages by the settlers. We have seen how their vil- 
lage at Norridgewock was laid waste and the same fate had 
overtaken them in several places on the Penobscot. They were 
sick, discouraged, and almost starving. Any terms of peace 
seemed better at that time than to continue the conflict longer. 
The document which was drawn up to be signed by the Indians 
as a practically complete surrender was known as Dummer's 
Treaty after Lieutenant-Governor Dummer of Massachusetts, 
who came to Maine to meet the native chiefs and arrange the 
conclusion of peace. 

As soon as the provisions of the treaty became known, a 
revival of iramigration into the province commenced, with a 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 33 

resulting increase of population in the towns. York and Fal- 
mouth, which then included all of what is now the city of Port- 
land, were the principal centers. The excellent harbor at the 
latter place, then as now, made it especially well adapted to ship- 
ping and commerce, while York was the legal and official head- 
quarters for all that section of the province. New settlements 
began to spring up here and there. Trade increased by leaps 
and bounds, showing how rapid would have been the develop- 
ment of the resources of Maine had it not been for nearly one 
hundred years of suffering from the ravages of war. The census 
which was taken in 1743 showed the population of Maine to be 
about 12,000, divided among eleven incorporated towns and 
numerous little villages and scattered settlements. 

At this time a strong fort was erected at Taconnet, now 
Winslow, at the junction of the Sebastioook and the Kennebec. 
It was called Fort Halifax, and one of the blockhouses is still 
standing on the original location. At Augusta, Fort Western 
was built to command the river at that point. One of its prin- 
cipal buildings still remains and a project is now planned to 
restore this fort to its original appearance. Still other forts 
were erected from time to time at various strategical places, 
and the province gradually came to be well protected from 
invasion. 

Final Struggle between France and England for Possession 
of America. While all these things of interest to us were going 
on, there was a terrible struggle pending between France and 
England for control of the North American continent. Gradu- 
ally their rival claims caused the two countries to drift again 
toward war until finally in 1753 it burst forth in full fury. The 
tide of battle did not reach Maine to any great extent as the con- 
test centered about the great fortifications erected by the 
French along the Mississippi and in the valleys of the Ohio and 
the St. Lawrence. Indians, however, from Canada, in alliance 
with the French, made several short expeditions into Maine, 
and managed to arouse some of the local tribes to join them. 
They were met by strong forces and accomplished little, except 
their own destruction, as orders were issued by the colonists to 



34 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



carry on a sharp campaign against them. The result was that 
the Indians were hunted hke wild beasts and killed wherever 
found. No doubt many suffered this fate who were not at all 
concerned in the raids by the Canadian Indians, but the colonists 
did not then stop long to consider and were in many cases un- 
able to distinguish between friend or foe among the red men. 




The Blockhouse at Fort Halifax 

The loopholes in the side walls for flintlock muskets and the embrasures for 
small cannon show the method of defense. The overhung story, with floor 
loopholes as in the garrison house, permitted a lunging fire against the enemy 
in close attack. 

By 1759 the English had gained the ascendancy over France 
in all parts of the country. The principal French fortresses at 
Quebec and on the Mississippi had fallen into their hands, and 
the power of France in this country was destroyed forever. 
With the withdrawal of French control and French influence, 
the possibility of any sustained warfare on the part of the 
Indians against the colonists became so slight as to be almost 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 35 

negligible, and we shall hear no more of the terrible conflicts 
between the two races in the eastern section of the country. 

The Acadian Exiles Settle in Maine. One incident of par- 
ticular interest to Maine occurred during the period which we 
have just been considering. It was the expulsion in 1755 of the 
French settlers from Acadia. The English governor of Nova 
Scotia became alarmed at the refusal of the Acadians to take 
sides in the impending struggle. When the French refused to 
take an unconditional oath of allegiance to England, they were 
overpowered by superior numbers and forcibly ejected from 
their homes. The story of their long sufferings is immortalized 
in Longfellow's poem Evangeline. 

Many of them were sent away into southern colonies like 
Massachusetts but some of them escaped in one way or another, 
scattering in different directions, getting across the Bay of 
Fundy to the mouth of the St. John River, taking to the wilder- 
ness, and finally, after great hardships, reaching the St. Law- 
rence and the French settlements in Quebec. 

The exiles who interest us particularly, however, are those 
who went to the mouth and traveled up the St. John River 
looking for a place where the English fleet could not pursue 
them. They came to Grand Falls, some twelve miles below 
where Van Buren is now located. They knew that no British 
ship could ever pass beyond that point in the river. They 
went on for some distance farther, seeking a favorable spot 
on which to locate. When they came to the great flats near 
the present town of Madawaska, Maine, they stopped and made 
their first settlement on both sides of the river. 

Here they were at peace, and from this little village their 
settlements spread up and down the river. To-day we find 
descendants of the exiles in practically every town and planta- 
tion on our northern border, but they live in peace and happiness, 
having only tradition to remind them of the unfortunate 
circumstance which compelled their fathers to seek a new dwell- 
ing place. By the Webster- Ashburt on Treaty in 1842, to which 
we shall refer later, the St. John River was made the dividing 
line between Maine and Canada so that the settlements of the 



36 THE STORY OF MAINE 

Acadians which had grown up on both sides were divided. 
Such is the history of the establishing of the first settlements 
in the extreme northern part of our state. 

EXERCISE III 

1. Wliat was the Indian mode of warfare? What means of de- 
fense were adopted by the settlers? What, if anything, can you find 
out about the experiences of jjeople in your town in connection with 
the Indian wars? 

2. Were there ever forts or garrison houses erected in your town 
for defense against Indian attacks? Are there remains of them still 
in existence? Find out all you can about them. 

3. In what ways did the joining together of the French and Indians 
strengthen the latter in their wars against the English ? 

4. Discuss the question of whether the French and Indians had 
good grounds for trying to drive the'^'English out of Maine. 

5. Discuss the rivalry between France and England, their wars in 
Europe, and the effects of them on the Maine colonists. 

6. How did the colonists feel about their situation at the close of 
ten years of this warfare? As time went on and wars followed one 
after another did their feelings change ? 

7. How did the fact that the English showed determination to 
extend their settlements strike the Indians ? Where were the farthest 
settlements in Maine located at this time? Mark them on your 
map. 

8. Tell about the waning power of the Indians. Wliat evidences 
were there of this decreasing strength ? 

9. Tell the story of Father Rasle and his Norridgewock settle- 
ment. 

10. Locate on the map the town of Fryeburg where Lovewell's 
fight took place. 

11. Tell about the final surrender of the Indians and its effect upon 
the growth of Maine. Why were York and Falmouth, or Portland, 
of special importance at that time? How many people were there in 
Maine in 1743? How was the territory protected? 

12. Tell about the final struggle between France and England for 
the possession of America. To what extent did it affect Maine ? 

13. Who were the Acadians and where did they live? Why is the 
story of their exile of particular interest to Maine? Wliere did they 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 37 

settle and are any of their descendants living in Maine at the present 
time ? 

14. Read the story of the Acadians in the poem Evangeline, by 
Longfellow. Remember that it is not history but that it represents 
the poet's interpretation of one of the incidents in the story which was 
told to him. 



CHAPTER IV 

THE REVOLUTION AND THE END OF MAINE AS A 

PROVINCE X 

A Period of Rapid Growth. Up to the close of the great war 
between France and England which marked the end of French 
power in America, that part of Maine lying in the Penobscot 
Valley and all of the area east of it had scarcely been opened to 
settlement. Now attention was turned to that part of the prov- 
ince and interest in developing it became very strong. A 
military force was sent to take formal possession and a fort was 
erected. Elsewhere through the province prosperity and a 
rapid increase in population again became evident. Scarcely a 
year passed without seeing one or more towns incorporated. 
Most of them then were much larger in area than the towns 
which now bear the same names. Among those which were 
incorporated during this period were Woolwich, Pownalborough 
(which included the three present towns of Alna, Wiscasset, and 
Dresden), Windham, Buxton, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Gorham, 
Boothbay, Bristol, Cape Ehzabeth, Lebanon, Hallowell (which 
included Augusta), Winthrop (which included Readfield), 
Vassalboro (which included Sidney), and Winslow (which in- 
cluded Waterville and Oakland). 

Dissatisfaction with British Rule. Aside from this quite 
rapid gain in population and the extension of settlements into 
sections of the province hitherto uninhabited, there was little 
of uncommon interest to record in Maine history for a number 
of years. After all, however, the most interesting and important 
history of any state is not the record of its conflicts, but rather 
its development and growth in population, in industry, and in 
the various institutions of peace. It is to be regretted that 
so many pages of the early history of Maine must be filled with 

chronicles of warfare. 

38 



REVOLUTION AND END OF MAINE AS A PROVINCE 39 

In Maine as elsewhere, however, during the period under 
consideration, there had been gradually growing up a feeling 
of dissatisfaction and resentment, on account of the treatment 
which was accorded the colonists by the mother country, 
England. It is a familiar story how representatives which were 
sent to administer the affairs of government for her subjects 
on this side of the ocean fostered the misunderstandings. In 
addition to the unpopularity of many of these officers, there 
was the.strongest of opposition to the payment of taxes imposed 
for various purposes and to restrictions which prevented such 
freedom of trade as the colonists desired. Because of the fact 
that Maine was somewhat out of the direct line of general travel 
and commerce, the effects were less felt than in most of the other 
sections of the country, but there were, nevertheless, certain 
evidences of conflict and resistance to the unjust acts and re- 
strictions of the British government. At Falmouth (Portland) 
a quantity of tax stamps were seized and destroyed, and in 
several places meetings were held where resolutions protesting 
against such acts of the British government were adopted in 
terms of the most scathing criticism. There were men in Maine, 
as in all other parts of the country, who were strongly opposed 
to these protests and in favor of abiding by every decree of the 
king of England or his representatives, but probably by far 
the greater number were fully in accord with the spirit of re- 
sentment which was sweeping over the land. This naturally 
led to local quarrels and mutual feelings of distrust and hatred 
among the people of the same communities, all of which did 
not add to the harmony of life in the colonies at that time. 

The Revolution Begins. For a long time there was no thought 
of organized rebellion, but after many grievances had culminated 
in British troops firing on the people in Boston and in the 
battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, there arose 
among the people an unquenchable spirit of patriotism for Amer- 
ica as an independent country. This intense desire found voice 
in the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and its 
justification in the long struggle to final success. 

Maine sent a considerable number of men to join the army 



40 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



and prepared at the very beginning to assume her share of the 
burdens of war, York was the first town to send out -a com- 
pany of soldiers. Other towns soon followed, while many men 
were enlisted for service in protecting Maine from invasion. 
This occurred finally in the fall of 1775 when a small British 
fleet appeared in Portland harbor and served notice to the in- 
habitants that the town would be bombarded. The next day 
the threat was carried out, and before nightfall practically the 
whole town was in ruins or in ashes. 




One of the Boulders Marking Arnold's March 



Arnold's Expedition to Quebec. One of the most famous 
events of the whole Revolution was the march of the expedition 
which was organized and sent out under the command of Bene- 
dict Arnold to take the Canadian city of Quebec. It is of special 
interest in this history because his line of march was largely 
through Maine. With eleven hundred men he landed from 
transports at Fort Western in Augusta and thence proceeded 
up ijhe Kennebec toward Quebec by way of Norridgewock and 



REVOLUTION AND END OF MAINE AS A PROVINCE 41 

Dead River. In recent years many boulders with suitably 
inscribed bronze plates have been placed to mark his line of 
march through what was then almost an unbroken wilderness. 

Arriving at Mt. Bigelow, the highest point of land in the Dead 
River region, a party was sent to the top to find out what could 
be discovered of the country beyond, through which they must 
pass. Their flag was planted upon the peak of this mountain 
and from this incident the present plantation of Flagstaff gets 
its name. Many of the expedition had already been forced to 
remain behind because of sickness, but the remainder pressed 
on, and finally, after almost unbelievable hardships, the ex- 
pedition reached Quebec. The city was so strongly fortified, 
however, that there was no possibility of taking it with the 
six hundred men who now formed all that was left of the heroic 
force which began the march from Augusta. While this ill- 
fated expedition accomplished nothing, yet the heroism of the 
men who embarked upon^it is worthy of note, and we have as a 
result one of the best known incidents of Maine history. 

Maine Invaded by the British. Castine, which had for so 
many years been the headquarters of the French up to the time 
when England finally gained control of Acadia, once more was 
made a battle-ground and was occupied by the British troops. 
Here they established themselves and built a fort which was so 
located as to command the approach into eastern Maine by 
way of the Penobscot. From this position they sent out ma- 
rauding parties in all directions which did much damage to 
the towns and settlements in that vicinity. Castine was re- 
garded as one of the most strategic points on the whole coast 
from a military standpoint, and the British remained in posses- 
sion of it until the end of the war. 

Machias was another town against which the British sent a 
fleet of warships for the purpose of destroying or capturing it. 
They succeeded in landing a party of men from the vessels and 
burned a few houses. The inhabitants of the town, with the 
help of a large band of Indians friendly to the townspeople, who 
drove the invaders back to then- ships, offered so unexpected and 
determined a resistance that they weighed anchor and left the 



42 THE STORY OF MAINE 

place without further attempt to molest it. Early in the war* 
Machias was the scene of the capture of a British cutter, and 
this first naval engagement of the conflict has been called by 
Cooper the "Lexington of the seas." 

End of the War. When the Revolution ended, as it did end 
virtually with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781, 
more than five years after the colonies had declared their inde- 
pendence, Maine was, of course, stiU a part of Massachusetts. 
This arrangement continued for nearly forty years longer. 
When Massachusetts became one of the original United States 
upon the adoption of the national constitution, Maine thereby 
became a district of that state. It was, however, only a few 
years after the war that the question of the separation of the 
district of Maine from the mother state began to be discussed. 
The extent of its territory at so great a distance from the seat 
of government seemed to many to warrant the setting up of the 
necessary machinery of government for Maine alone and its 
admission to the Union as a new state. 

Separation from Massachusetts Considered. In addition to 
remoteness from Massachusetts there was another very potent 
reason for the sentiment in favor of separation. Maine had 
become well started on a period of very rapid growth in popula- 
tion and development of natural resources. The Federal census 
of 1790 showed that the number of people within the district 
had reached the very representative total of 96,540. With the 
Indian menace cleared away there had been a steady influx of 
people attracted by the lure of the many available acres of fine 
farmland and the wonderful lumber tracts which Maine afforded. 

A fairly thorough canvass of the people was made to ascertain 
their desires relative to separatidn from Massachusetts. There 
were then ninety-three towns and plantations in the district. 
The result of the canvass showed such a division of sentiment on 
the subject that any move toward a petition for separation at 
that time appeared inadvisable with such evenly divided sup- 
port. No cause had arisen for any one to feel that the treatment 
accorded the inhabitants of Maine by Massachusetts was 
unsatisfactory since a most liberal policy had been adopted in 



REVOLUTION AND END OF MAINE AS A PROVINCE 43 

the way of building roads and of granting lands on favorable 
terms for the purix)se of encouraging settlement. That this 
policy accomplished what it was designed to do may be seen 
from the fact that towns multiplied rapidly during the next 
twenty years and that the population had increased in 1800 to 
151,719 and in 1810 had reached 228,687. At the latter date 
the number of incorporated towns was 178, showing a really 
remarkable growth since the close of the Revolutionary War. 

Organization of Counties. When Massachusetts assumed 
control of Maine in 1652 the designation of Yorkshire County 
was applied to the territory as a whole. In 1760 Cumberland 
and Lincoln counties were set off from York. At that time 
Cumberland included not only the present county of that name 
but also Androscoggin, Franklin, and parts of Oxford, Kenne- 
bec, and Somerset. Lincoln included also Washington, Han- 
cock, Waldo, Sagadahoc, a part of Kennebec, and a part of 
Knox. Hancock County, including at that time Waldo and a 
part of Penobscot, was incorporated in 1789, and the same year 
saw Washington County established, including, as it then did, 
all of Aroostook. The county was named for our first president, 
who was elected in that year. Kennebec County was incor- 
porated in 1799, and in 1805, Oxford, including a large part of 
Franklin, was established. In 1809 Somerset County was set 
off from Kennebec. Thus was the district of Maine divided 
at the end of the first decade of the nineteenth century. 

The War of 1812. During the years following the close of the 
Revolution, Maine enjoyed the longest period of prosperity 
and uninterrupted progress that had been allowed her in the 
long period of her stormy history. The second war with Eng- 
land in 1812 rudely awakened her from any dreams of a perma- 
nent extension of this most welcome, unmolested development. 
The causes of the war are too well known to need explanation 
here. Strangely enough it proved to be largely a naval conflict. 
Many English warships cruised along the coast, preventing our 
merchant ships from carrying on their trade from port to port 
without subjecting themselves to imminent danger of capture. 
This feature of the war caused the greatest distress to Maine 



44 THE STORY OF MAINE 

because of the fact that a large part of the district's business was 
in commerce, and the holding up of its shipping struck the people 
in a vulnerable spot. 

Like all other parts of the country Maine was called upon to 
furnish her quota of soldiers and seamen while a heavy tax was 
imposed for carrying on the war. It was nearly two years, 
however, before Maine was invaded. Eastport was the first 
town to be occupied. A British fleet unexpectedly appeared 
and its men soon took possession of the town, which was practi- 
cally unprotected and could offer no resistance of any conse- 
quence. Castine was the next town to pass into possession of 
the enemy. As had been the case during the Revolution, this 
town was made an important military base by the enemy be- 
cause of its commanding position as the key to the whole valley 
of the Penobscot. It remained under occupation by the English 
for several months, and many evidences of their sojourn there are 
stiU pointed out to visitors. Castine is undoubtedly the most 
historic town in the state when we consider the number of times 
it has been held by those who were in conflict with the representa- 
tives of the government under which it was ultimately to remain. 

From Castine, as headquarters, the British expedition visited 
Belfast, across Penobscot Bay, and then started up the river. 
They proceeded as far as Bangor, plundering and destroying 
property in every town along the route. Reaching Bangor they 
easily took that town and destroyed much of its property. They 
remained, however, only for a very short time before returning 
to Castine. Raiding parties were occasionally sent out there- 
from to harass the neighboring towns, but it appears that much 
of the time was spent in dances, parties, and other forms of 
social gayety. The next year, 1815, peace was declared and 
with it the British occupation of eastern Maine became of 
comparatively short duration. It marked the last time that 
soldiers of a country with which we were at war should set foot 
upon the soil of Maine. 

Maine Becomes a State. Four years later, in 1819, a canvass 
concerning statehood for the district was again made. The 
resulting vote approved of the proposal to separate from Massa- 



REVOLUTION AND END OF MAINE AS A PROVINCE 45 

chusetts and to petition Congress for the admission of Maine to 
the Union as a sovereign state. When the petition reached Con- 
gress, a difficulty arose because there was at that time a sharp 
division between those states which believed it proper to hold 
negroes as slaves and those which had no slaves and regarded 
their bondage as entirely wrong. There were then eleven free 
and eleven slave states so that the admission of Maine as a free 
state would mean the disturbing of that balance and a conse- 
quent advantage for the opponents of slavery m the United 
States Senate where each state is represented by two members. 
The controversy was finally settled by the famous law known as 
the Missouri Compromise, by the provisions of which Maine 
was admitted to the Union as a free state, and at exactly the same 
time Missouri as a slave state. Thus the balance of power 
between the two divisions was maintained. Maine entered on 
its statehood, as the twenty-third in the Union, March 15, 1820. 
At that time, 236 towns were included in the state. In 
addition to the counties already named, another, Penobscot, had 
been incorporated in 1816, making nine in all. The population 
had passed the quarter million mark and was 298,335. The 
whole coast from Kittery to Eastport was well settled, and towns 
had been incorporated everywhere in the state with the excep- 
tion of Aroostook County and the northern parts of what are 
now Washington, Penobscot, Somerset, and Piscataquis coun- 
ties. The towns last incorporated before Maine became a 
state, and those which represented the farthest extension of 
local government in the several directions included Kingfield, 
Dexter, Bingham, Sangerville, and Orono, which also embraced 
Oldtown. There were, of course, many other settlements 
in the more remote portions of the state where no organized 
towns had yet been recognized. , 

EXERCISE IV 

1. What were the reasons for the dissatisfaction of the colonists 
with English rule? To what extent did the people of Maine show 
their disapproval of the treatment accorded them? In what ways? 
In what places? 



46 THE STORY OF MAINE 

2. Find out if your town was one in which the people showed their 
disapproval and in what ways. 

3. What parts of Maine responded first to the call to arms? 

4. What was the object of Arnold's expedition? Trace its line 
of march through Maine. Why did the troops take that course in- 
stead of some other? Are there any present-day evidences of that 
expedition? If it went through your town or near it, find out all the 
details you can about it. 

5. What parts of Maine suffered from invasion by the British? 
What was the "Lexington of the seas"? Why was Castine made 
headquarters by the British? 

6. Were all the people of Maine in favor of the separation from 
England? What effect did the situation have on the prosecution of 
the war? 

7. After the United States became a separate nation and Massachu- 
setts one of the states, what was the relation between that state and 
Maine? 

8. Was there any reason why Maine should wish to become a 
separate state? Were the people satisfied to be under the control of 
Massachusetts ? 

9. How many counties were there in Maine at the close of the 
Revolution ? What were they called and were they the same in extent 
of territory as the present counties of the same names ? 

10. What do you remember was the principal cause of the War of 
1812 between England and this country? Why did this war particu- 
larly affect Maine? 

11. What places in Maine did the British occupy during this war? 
What other places did they attack and damage ? 

12. When was the final attempt made to bring about the separation 
of Maine from Massachusetts? What difficulties were encountered 
in making Maine a state? What was the Missouri Compromise? 
Why was it necessary? 

13. What was the date of Maine's admission to the Union? Was 
any other state admitted at the same time ? 

14. How many towns were there in Maine when it became a state? 
How many counties? How large was the population? How much 
of the state was settled at that time ? 



CHAPTER V 
A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 

The Establishing of Government. The first election was held 
in April following the admission of Maine as a state in March. 
It resulted in the election of William King, of Bath, as Governor. 
He remained in office for only a part of his term, when he resigned 
to accept an appointment from the Federal Government. He 
was succeeded by William D. Williamson, president of the 
Senate, and in 1822 Albion K. Parris, of Paris, was elected, 

Portland was the place of meeting of the first legislature and 
one of its first acts was the adoption of a state seal. The design 
was intended to be representative of Maine's industries and re- 
sources. It showed a farmer and a sailor, 
with that great game beast, the moose, and 
a pine tree in the background. On a scroll 
in the upper section appears the Latin word 
"Dirigo," signifying " I lead," while at the 
extreme top is the north star, emblematic 
of the position which Maine occupies in the 
northern part of the country. 

For twelve years Portland was the state 
capital, but Augusta was later designated '^^® Seal of the state 
as the seat of government, where the state 
house was erected at an original cost of about $125,000. In 
1832 the transfer of headquarters was made and the legislature 
of that year held the first session in the new building, which was 
then considered a magnificent structure. It was built of Maine 
granite and located on an eminence overlooking the Kennebec 
from the west. After a number of years it became evident that 
the growth of the several state departments would make nec- 
essary an enlargement of the building for the efficient carrying 

47 




48 THE STORY OF MAINE 

on of their work. The result was that a small addition was made. 
The matter again came before the legislature in 1907 for similar 
action. A bitter contest ensued over the proposal that the seat 
of government be once more located in Portland with a new 
capitol building erected there instead of expending a large 
amount to enlarge the old one. Finally, the advocates of re- 
taining Augusta as the capital were victorious and in 1909 an 
appropriation of $350,000 was made to remodel the state house. 
The work was done under the direction of a commission, which 
kept the main part of the old building as nearly intact as possible 
and added wings to provide the necessary room for expansion. 
While a large amount of space was thus made available, yet the 
building is now overcrowded and whole departments are forced 
to find quarters elsewhere. 

Just across the street from the capitol is the former home of one 
of Maine's most distinguished sons, James G. Blaine. After his 
death it continued to be owned and controlled by his family, 
who occupied it at infrequent intervals, and then only for brief 
periods. During the great World War the use of the house was 
granted to the state as headquarters for the Committee on 
Public Safety. When the war closed in 1918, the property was 
deeded to the state by Mrs. Harriett Blaine Beale, Mr. Blaine's 
daughter, with the idea that it could be used as a Governor's 
Mansion and at the same time serve as a fitting memorial to the 
memory of Mr. Blaine and to his grandson, Walker Blaine 
Beale, who was killed in the American army service in France. 
The gift was most gratefully accepted and the remodeled house 
is splendidly adapted for both the purposes designated. 

The Aroostook War. Very soon after the state government was 
well organized there arose a dispute concerning the exact loca- 
tion of the northern boundary. Great Britain clamied the whole 
of the St. John River, including both banks, and a considerable 
part of the territory which had been regarded as a part of Maine, 
even as far south as the point where the town of Houlton is now 
located. The granting of this claim would mean the loss of 
nearly one-third of the whole area of the state. There was no 
disposition on the part of the people to accept such a settlement. 



A CEK'TURY OF STATEHOOD 



49 





[' lfi\Mh. 






■ irf". '•-^ 




V \\**"lkVji 



Gradually a strong feeling of rivalry grew up with readiness on 
the part of the residents of both Maine and New Brunswick to 
justify their claims, if necessary, by force. 

It was in 1837 that an agent of the state, working among the 
people of the Madawaska territory, was arrested upon order 
of the governor of 
New Brunswick on 
the ground that he 
was engaged in 
arousing the people 
to repudiate Ca- 
nadian authority. 
The agent, whose 
name was Ebenezer 
Greeley, was taken 
to the jail in Fred- 
ericton. This act 
was regarded by 
Governor Dunlap 
of Maine as an 
invasion of soil 
which belonged to 
the United States. 
The matter was 
brought to the im- 
mediate attention 
of President Van 
Buren, who took 
occasion to send a 

prompt message to the British authorities, and Greeley was 
released. 

In 1839 the New Brunswick governor issued a proclamation 
which amounted to a declaration of war. It followed the 
seizing and lodging in jail of a Maine land agent who had been 
sent with a posse of men to prevent further lumber operations 
in the state by citizens of the Canadian province. They had 
been coming over into that part of Maine in dispute, taking 



■^>^. 



^'''■^*''■. , 






9u 




r '. M ///////ii'., ii//rt-* 



v'« 



sMJSmimi 

Blockhouse at Fort Kent 

Notice the larger size of this fort than Fort Halifax 
on page 34, and the greater number of loopholes on 
the first and second story, permitting more effective 
infantry volleys. 



50, THE STORY OF MAINE 

valuable timber from our forests. Such depredations as this 
were naturally not to the popular liking. They felt that they 
were losing not only a part of their natural resources but that 
these invasions were a challenge to protect themselves if they 
were able to do so. In spite of urgent requests from the gover- 
nor of the state and from other prominent individuals, the presi- 
dent failed to take any summary action and the opinion became 
very prevalent that the New Brunswick officials had determined 
to carry the matter to a point where the residents of Maine, 
unsupported as they were by the National Government, would 
press their claims no further. Maine had no idea, however, of 
allowing such a consummation of the dispute, and the legislature 
appropriated nearly a million dollars for the purpose of driving 
out the trespassers. Reports were current in Maine that British 
soldiers and cannon were being transported from Quebec to the 
disputed territory. Excitement became more and more intense 
and the representations to Washington were made even stronger 
than previously. The Federal Government finally took steps 
to protect its rights on our northern border by calling for enlist- 
ments of men and by authorizing an approp^xanon of several 
million dollars to defray the expenses. It looked very much 
as if battle and bloodshed were imminent. 

Before any actual fighting occurred, however, negotiations 
were begun which held up the military operations on the border, 
where a large force of Maine soldiers had been mobilized. Not 
long afterward the troops on both sides were withdrawn and the 
whole dispute referred to arbitration. The question was 
finally settled in 1842 by the acceptance of the provisions of the 
Webster-Ashburton Treaty which was formulated by Daniel 
Webster, then Secretary of State, and Lord Ashburton, a special 
ambassador sent to Washington to have charge of the British 
case. By this treaty Maine surrendered a part of the territory- 
she claimed to the north of the St. John, but retained all of that 
immensely valuable tract now included in Aroostook County. 
The state received from the National Government a total of 
$350,000 in the settlement, partly as payment for the surren- 
dered territory and partly as reimbursement for expenditures 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 



51 



in the defense of her border. Thus ended the so-called "Aroos- 
took War" or, as it is often termed, the "Bloodless War." 
The result of the treaty was a reasonable settlement even if the 
British had a map, not accessible to Webster in 1842, which makes 
it evident that England gained by the treaty 5000 square miles 
more than the treaty of 1783 allowed her. The names of the 
towns of Fort Kent and Fort Fairfield, with parts of the forts 




Building at Fort Kent Used for Barracks in the Aroostook War 

still standing, remain to-day as permanent reminders of the 
preparations made for that war. 

With the definite adjustment of this boundary dispute, 
Maine had at last arrived at the point where her boundaries 
definitely extended from the Piscataqua on the west to the St. 
Croix on the east, and from the Atlantic Ocean on the south to 
the St. John River on the north. In the whole history from 
the arrival of the very first settlers in Maine there never had 
been a time up to 1842 when some part of the state was not 
claimed by another nation. Aroostook Count}^ was now incor- 
porated, and a few years later enlarged by further additions 



52 THE STORY OF MAINE 

until it reached the proportions of 6408 square miles, or more 
than one fifth the total area of the state, with a total population, 
however, of less than 10,000 inhabitants. 

Growth and Prosperity. For nearly twenty years after the 
flurry of patriotic feeling caused by the possibility of war with 
Great Britain, peace and prosperity reigned throughout Maine. 
Many towns were incorporated and settlers pushed farther and 
farther into the wilderness, while splendid farms were cleared 
and buildings erected on every hand. The foundations for a 
great agricultural development were being well laid. Except 
for the lumber and fishing business, the industrial growth of the 
state had scarcely begun at this time despite a rapidly increas- 
ing population. It rose from just below 300,000 in 1820 to 
399,455 in 1830; 501,793 in 1840 ; 583,169 in 1850, and 628,279 
in 1860, an increase of more than 300,000, or slightly over 100 
per cent, in the first forty years of statehood. 

The Prohibitory Law. An important law was enacted during 
this period which should receive special mention. It was the 
act of 1851 which prohibited the sale and manufacture of in- 
toxicating liquors in any part of the state. Maine was thus the 
first state to take such action and from that 3^ear the sale of 
intoxicants has never been legalized in the state. In 1884, 
prohibition was made a part of the state constitution. In 1911, 
a strong effort was made to change the constitution. The 
legislature voted in favor of doing so, but the measure was 
defeated by a narrow margin when the people voted upon it 
at a state-wide election. From that time, however, sentiment in 
favor of prohibition rapidly increased all over the country, and 
Maine supporters of the policy saw it adopted by first one state 
and then another, until finally the whole nation came to see the 
problem in the same light as did Maine three quarters of a cen- 
tury ago. 

The Civil War. The blight of war again descended upon the 
land in 1861. The record of it belongs properly to the history 
of the whole country rather than to that of Maine, but this 
state did its part toward the preservation of the Union and that 
most valiantly. We have not space to record much beyond the 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 53 

bare fact that Maine responded to the call of the nation without 
thought of personal sacrifice. Regiment after regiment was 
formed and marched away to the front. Many of them had 
most brilliant records. To gaze upon their battle-stained and 
shot-torn flags as they rest to-day in the rotunda of the state 
capitol at Augusta, is to recall innumerable instances of frightful 
carnage and of brave deeds performed by the men of Maine who 
made up those units. 

The following poem, written by Moses Owen, is inscribed 
upon a bronze tablet located near the flag cases in the state house. 
It was inspired by the overhearing of a careless remark made 
by a young girl visitor as she passed by and cast a casual glance 
at those standards of war. 

The Returned Maine Battle Flags 

Nothing but flags — but simple flags, 

Tattered and torn and hanging in rags ; 

And we walk beneath them with careless tread, 

Nor think of the hosts of the mighty dead 

That have marched beneath them in days gone by, 

With a burning cheek, and a kindling eye, 

And have bathed their folds with their young life's tide. 

And dying, blessed them, and blessing, died. 

Nothing but flags — yet, methinks, at night. 
They tell each other their tales of fright ! 
And dim spectres come, and their thin arms twine 
'Round each standard torn — as they stand in line. 
As the word is given — they charge ! they form ! 
And the dim hall rings with the battle's storm ; 
And once again, through the smoke and strife, 
Those colors lead to a Nation's life. 

Nothing but flags — yet they're bathed with tears ; 

They tell of triumphs — of hopes — of fears ; 

Of a mother's prayers — of a boy away, 

Of a serpent crushed — of the coming day ; 

Silent, they speak — and the tear will start. 

As we stand beneath them with throbbing heart, 



54 THE STORY OF MAINE 

And think of those who are ne'er forgot, 
Their flags come home — why come they not ? 

Nothing but flags — yet we hold our breath, 
And gaze with awe at those types of death ; 
Nothing but flags — yet the thought will come, 
The heart must pray though the lips be dumb ! 
They are sacred, pure, and we see no stain 
On those dear loved flags come home again ; 
Baptized in blood, our purest, best, 
Tattered and torn, they're now at rest. 

The records show that Maine sent 72,945 men to the battle- 
field. There were thirty-two regiments of infantry, three of 
cavalry, one of heavy artillery, seven batteries of mounted 




The State Capitol at Augusta 

artillery, and fifty companies of soldiers for other combat work. 
Of these 7322 died for their country. It is a record of which 
any state may well be proud. Over $10,000,000 was paid by 
the state in bounties and supplies furnished for the army. 

Two of Maine's Generals. We cannot pass on without 
recording the names of two Maine men who are well known to 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 55 

^every one familiar with the history of the Civil War, General 
0. O. Howard and General Joshua L. Chamberlain. Both of 
these men won the highest praise for their bravery and ability 
as leaders. They were both in many battles and both took 
part in the decisive conflict with Lee at Gettysburg, General 
Howard being assigned to one of the most important posts in 
that battle and holding the line successfully against the most 
terrific onslaughts of the Confederate army, which was hurled 
against his position in a desperate attempt to turn the tide in 
their favor. To General Chamberlain came the honor of re- 
ceiving Lee's surrender at Appomattox. JNIany another Maine 
man showed the sterling stuff of which heroes are made during 
those four years of mighty struggle, and many received well- 
merited recognition and promotion, but we have space to men- 
tion only the two who are best known. General Chamberlain 
was elected governor of Maine in 1867 and remained in office 
for four years. In this important position his ability as an un- 
flinching leader was again demonstrated, and his administra- 
tion of the state's affairs was of the very highest order. His 
inspiring career of great public service included the presidency 
of one of Maine's finest colleges. 

After the War. The business of the whole country had been 
prostrated by the Civil War, and Maine suffered severely from 
the effects of this diminution in commercial activity. Recovery 
was extremely slow, and the census of 1870 showed not only no 
gain in population during the decade, but an actual loss of 1364. 
Since that time the increase has been much less rapid than before, 
but has been fairly steady. In 1880, Maine numbered 648,936 
people; in 1890, there w^ere 661,086; in 1900, the figures were 
694,466, and in 1910, they had risen to 742,371. 

Unlike the remainder of the state, the great county of Aroos- 
took had continued to grow in population even during the ten- 
year period within which the Civil War was in progress. Its 
people increased from 22,479 in 1860 to 29,609 in 1870, and a 
rapid gain has been shown at every enumeration since then. 
As its wonderful soil for farming purposes and its almost in- 
exhaustible lumber resources became better arid better known, 



56 THE STORY OF MAINE 

they served to attract a great many people to its territory. The 
story of the industrial development of this section of the state, 
its settlement, and its growth reads more like a chapter from 
the history of some of the great western states than that of a 
part of conservative New England. 

Swedish Settlements in Maine. One important incident in 
the settlement of Aroostook should be recorded concerning its 
Scandinavian immigration. In 1870, Hon. William W. Thomas, 
Jr., of Portland, who had previously served three years as United 
States consul at Gothenburg, Sweden, was appointed Com- 
missioner of Immigration. His previous residence in that coun- 
try and consequent acquaintance with the character and cus- 
toms of its people led him to believe that the introduction of 
Swedish immigrants into Maine would be a desirable addition 
to its population. He, therefore, after the matter had been 
thoroughly discussed with the Maine authorities, made a trip 
to Sweden whence he very shortly returned with a colony of 
fifty-one men, women, and children. They had been carefully 
selected by Mr. Thomas from those who desired to come, and 
he took no one on whom he felt he could not depend to prove 
honest, industrious, and devoted to the idea of making a success 
of the venture in a new land. 

Arrangements had been made for the colony to establish 
itself in that part of Aroostook County just north of Caribou. 
There, in the midst of the Maine wilderness, arose the town of 
New Sweden. Very comfortable log houses had been built for 
the settlers and a whole township, except for a public lot of 
fifty acres, had been surveyed and divided up into large farm 
tracts to be given to the colonists without charge. The clearing 
of the farms was, of course, to be done by the settlers. This 
work they at once proceeded to do with great enthusiasm, for 
they were accustomed to labor of that kind. The reports which 
they soon sent back to Sweden were so favorable that in less 
than a year the colony had received a number of additions. 
Each year after that saw an increase in the number of Swedish 
immigrants. 

New Sweden was incorporated as a town in 1895. Long 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 57 

before then the Swedish settlers had established themselves in 
adjoining townships, so that now, in addition to the original 
colony, the town of Stockholm, which was mcorporated in 1911, 
and West manland plantation, organized in 1892, have increased 
the list. The total population of these towns in 1910 was 1827, 
and it is estimated that not less than 3000 Swedish immigrants 
have come to Maine as a result of bringing over the first group 
of settlers. They have taken up homes in many parts of the 
state and have proved themselves a thrifty and wholly desirable 
part of our population. 

Industrial Growth. We must pass over without further com- 
ment the record of the gradual development of the state from 
the period which we have just been considering to the present 
time. It is largely a record of industrial growth and prop- 
erly belongs with the facts set forth in Part II of this book. 
In that section will be found, in ])rief outline, a discussion 
of Maine's natural resources and the steps which have been 
and are now being taken to make them available to the resi- 
dents of Maine and to those who will come to the state in the 
future. 

Recent Military Activities. Before beginning the considera- 
tion of some special phases of our history, one more reference 
should be made to the part which Maine has plaj^ed in the mili- 
tary activities of the nation during the strenuous times through 
which we have lately passed. The first summons came in the 
spring of 1916, when it seemed that it would be necessary to send 
a strong military force into Mexico, then in a state of revolution, 
in order to protect American life and property within that coun- 
try as well as on our southern border along the Rio Grande. 
Several raids had been made by bands of armed Mexicans on 
the American side of that river, and both life and property had 
been lost in the United States as a I'esult. The militia of the 
several states was ordered mobilized, among which were the 
companies of the Second Maine Regiment brought together at 
Augusta. In June they entrained for the border and were en- 
camped for the most part at Laredo, Texas, for a period of 
nearly four months without seeing any real service. They were 



58 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



then recalled and returned to Maine, but it was not to be long 
before a much more serious summons was received. 

In Europe, war of the most stupendous character had been in 
progress between Germany and her allies on the one side and 
most of the remaining nations of that part of the world on the 
other. When it began in 1914 there were few who expected it 
to last more than a few months at the most, but its pitiless 
slaughter had already continued for two and one half terrible 




The Governor's Mansion in Augusta 

Formerly the home of James G. Bhiine, and the headquarters, during the late 
war, of the Committee on Public Safety. 



years. For all that period our nation had maintained an atti- 
tude of neutrality, although there were many who did not hesi- 
tate to declare that we should take up arms and place ourselves 
without reservation in the ranks with France, England, Belgium, 
Italy, and the other European nations which were engaged in 
the deadly struggle against German autocracy. 

There came a time, however, when it was useless for the 
nation to deceive itself longer that it was not under obligation 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 59 

to enter the conflict. Nearly every one felt in the winter of 1917 
that events were rapidly heading toward a state of war between 
the United States and Germany. In Maine, there had already 
been some incidents of internal treachery which showed that 
United States citizens should be on their guard. An attempt 
had been made by a German agent to blow up the international 
bridge between Maine and New Brunswick, over which many 
Canadian supply trains were being run. In March, Governor 
Milliken appointed a Committee of Public Safety, and steps were 
taken by its one hundred members in different parts of the state 
to organize for local protection. Everywhere people were 
asking how much longer it could be before the nation should 
actually be involved in war. 

The climax came on April 2, 1917, when President Wilson 
appeared before the assembled houses of Congress in Washing- 
ton and solemnly charged the German nation with having 
forced him to ask the Congress of the United States to declare 
war against it. This message was flashed over the country 
and the air was electric with excitement. The following 
morning Governor Milliken addressed his war message to a 
joint convention of the Maine legislature which was on the point 
of adjourning its biennial session. The text of this message is 
here given in full : 

Governor Milliken's War Message. 

Gentlemen of the Legislature : 

Since you first assembled three months ago, world events have 
moved swiftly to a fateful climax. I have summoned you in joint 
convention at the very opening of your session this morning, because 
the moment has come for the State of Maine, acting through her 
chosen representatives, to begin playing her proper part in world 
affairs. v 

For more than thirty months Americans have watched with growing 
horror and amazement the appalling world catastrophe across the sea. 
We are a peaceful people committed by ancient tradition to a policy 
of aloofness from European alliances. This policy we have struggled 
to maintain. Through all these weary months we have taken no part 
except that of messenger of succor and relief to the distressed. 



60 THE STORY OF MAINE 

But continued isolation from the struggle has become increasingly- 
impossible. Neither the broad expanse of the Atlantic nor the faith 
of treaties nor the instincts common to humanity have sufficed to 
protect our peaceful and law-abiding citizens from the assassin. With 
unbelievable patience and self-restraint we have seen our flag insulted, 
our rights insolently invaded, our citizens, even women and children, 
foully murdered upon the high seas. Our self-respect and honor as a 
nation forbid further endurance of these intolerable aggressions.- 

But we are to enter the war at last not only because of the tlireat 
against the integrity of oui' own nation and this hemisphere for which 
we have some measure of responsibility. This is to be no mere de- 
fensive war on our part. We are to strike and strike with all the 
energy and power at our command because we are at last convinced 
that the very fate of civilization is at stake. 

A ruthless military frenzy is running amuck in the world, armed, 
not with bludgeon and spear suited to such a survival of savagery, 
but with the most frightful engines of destruction that modern science 
can devise. Our warfare is not against the German people, but 
against the brutal despotism which assumes to govern them, — a 
belated survival of mankind's age-old enemy, the cruel and arrogant 
spirit of autocracy, wliich soon, please God, is utterly to vanish from 
the earth. 

More is concerned in this titanic struggle than the honor or the life 
of any nation. It has become a world conflict for that freedom of 
self-governing democracies of which our flag is the supreme token 
among mankind. The Allies are fighting for civilization against des- 
potism. With the battle finally joined upon this issue our flag would 
droop in the breeze if withheld ingloriously from the conflict. 

Last night before a joint convention of Congress, the President 
asked that a state of war be declared to exist and that our government 
at once enter upon the conflict upon the side of the Allies with all the 
energy and power at our command. You have read his calm and 
patriotic utterance. 

Congress will meet again this noon to put into full effect his recom- 
mendations. Before that time, let us, by appropriate action, assure 
the President and Congress of our full and loyal support in this solemn 
hour of national crisis. No words need be added to his noble state- 
ment of the case. The eloquence of deeds can best be ours. 

I urge that you provide immediate authority for the issuance of 
bonds to the amount of one million doUars and give the Governor and 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 61 

Council full authority to spend such portion of this amount as may 
be necessary for military purposes. 

You will also enact such defense measures as may seem to you 
fitting, giving the constituted authorities powers appropriate for them 
to use in time of war. 

You should also make suitable provision for adequate care of the 
families and dependents of soldiers. This can best be done in my 
judgment by granting some discretion to the Governor and Council 
without attempting to make a fixed rule applicable to all cases. 

So much of our duty we may now foresee. Whatever more our 
country asks of us will be given with cheerful and unswerving loyalty. 
You will remain in session for the next few days, even into next week 
if necessary, in order to be ready to take instant action upon matters 
within the jurisdiction of the State as fast as events shall point the way. 

Our little State has a role in the coming conflict far out of proportion 
to her size. Our rocky shores look out upon the broad Atlantic, once 
the highway of peaceful commerce, now the possible path of the ruth- 
less invader. When to-day the leaders of our nation meet in solemn 
conference, let it be known that Maine is true to her glorious tradi- 
tions of other days, — that now as always in the past her sons are will- 
ing to offer freely the last full measure of devotion when their country 
calls. 

The Legislature's Response. Pursuant to the request con- 
tained in the above message the legislature on the same 
day passed an emergency act to take effect immediately, 
authorizing an issue of state bonds to the amount of one 
million dollars for war purposes and directing the governor 
and council to render to the government of the United States 
all assistance within the power of the state. War against 
Germany was formally declared on April 6, 1917. Additional 
war measures were quickly put into form and promptly enacted 
into law by the legislature providing for a number of items di- 
rectly connected with war preparations. Sheriffs were author- 
ized to appoint special deputies ; the governor was empowered 
to take in the name of the state any land for military use ; towns, 
cities, and plantations were required to raise money for aid in 
the support of the families of soldiers, sailors, and marines while 
in military service, and provision was made for reimbursement 



62 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



by the state for all money thus expended ; a state bonus was 
authorized to supplement, if necessary, the amount of money 
paid by the government to men in the service so that none should 
receive less than twent3^-five dollars per month ; and the or- 
ganization of a Maine Home Guard to serve in the place of the 
regular state militia during its absence from the state was 
provided for. No one who was present during those closing 
days of the legislature of 1917 can ever forget the tenseness of 
the situation, and even then it is doubtful if any foresaw how 

great a part this nation was 
destined to play in the pros- 
ecution of the war to its 
final settlement. 

Maine Boys at the Front, 
In July the Second Maine 
Regiment was . ordered to 
mobilize immediately at 
Augusta and to recruit its 
companies to war strength. 
Up to that time its members 
had been doing guard duty 
in different parts of the 
state. For the remainder 
of the summer until August 
19, 1917, the regiment was 
quartered in the capital city, 
undergoing strenuous prep- 
aration for foreign service. 
On that date it entrained 
for an unknown destination which later proved to be Westfield, 
Massachusetts, where, with other units, further training in the 
art of modern warfare was given the already well-hardened 
soldiers. 

At that time none knew what disposition was to be made of 
the Maine Regiment, but it was soon moved to the Atlantic 
seaboard and embarked for the battle field in Europe under the 
command of Colonel Frank M. Hume, of Houlton. Together 




Colonel Frank M. Hume 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 63 

with some members of National Guard regiments from other 
New England states, it became the 103d Regiment of the famous 
Twenty-sixth Division, made up largely of National Guard 
units from New England. It was the first American division, 
aside from the regular army, to reach the battle line in France. 
The magnificent part played by this division and the telling 
losses suffered by it in the several battles in which it was en- 
gaged against the picked shock-troops of Germany is a glorious 
heritage for New England. Pride, however, in its achievement 
in the Aisne-Marne, the St. Mihiel, and the Argonne offensives 
is tempered in the sadness of its losses. As in the case of other 
states, Maine's sons suffered largely in the casualty list and many 
gave their lives for their country. 

Maine's War Record. As soon as war was declared, hundreds 
of Maine's finest j^oung men rushed to enlist in the various 
departments of army and navy service. The decision of the 
government to secure the greater part of the men needed to 
prosecute the war by the system of selective draft reduced the 
enlistments to a small numl:)er compared with what it would 
have been if the policy of calling for volunteers had been adopted. 
Even so the enlistments of Maine boys were so numerous that 
on several occasions the draft quota required to be furnished 
by the state was greatly reduced. Enlistment credits by those 
who did not wait for their turn to come made possible this 
reduction. The number of volunteer enlistments of Maine 
men, including the National Guard, in the army was 7312, and 
in the navy 4025. In addition, 2451 men of draft age secured 
special permission and enlisted. 

The records show that the total number of men from Maine 
serving for a longer or shorter period in the army or navy of the 
United States during the war was 28,476. To these must be 
added a considerable, but unknown number, who joined the 
Canadian forces before our own country entered the war. 
In the 2094 casualties reported, 518 represented men killed in 
action. The total number of deaths of Maine soldiers from all 
causes was 1085. To them came the stern necessity of the 
supreme sacrifice, the loss of life itself, in the struggle for right 



64 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



against the forces of military autocracy. In the Hst of those 
cited for bravery we find the names of 171 Maine men, of 
whom 152 were members of the National Guard, the old 
Second Maine. There were 49 who received American Dis- 
tinguished Service Medals, 38 to whom the French Croix de 
Guerre was presented, 2, the Victoria Cross, and 1, the ItaUan 
Distinguished Service decoration. 

Another item of unusual interest to Maine people in con- 
nection with the war is the fact that the principle of the cater- 
pillar tread which made possible the success of the British 











V 




^4 




i 1 










; 


ill 


* "*<* t % 


1 


mm 
S3 


1 Mm^am^X'^ 


/^■]i 'Kil^^efe. 




i^^^^^fcy^ir^ ■^'^'jr* ** 




pp 


m 


^i 




j^ 




w^ 



The Log-hauler in the Maine Woods 

The caterpillar tread applied in the war made it possible for tanks to pene- 
trate barbed-wire entanglements and pass over the most intricate trench sys- 
tems. 

" tanks " was first applied in a commercial way a number of years 
before the war by Mr. A. 0. Lombard of Waterville. He used 
this method as the basic traction scheme for his log-haulers in 
pulling enormous loads of lumber in the Maine woods. His 
invention was developed into one of the great mechanical sur- 
prises of the war, an engine of effective offense to beat down 
German resistance previous to an infantry attack. 
The great inclusive method of training our soldiers in the war 



A CENTURY OF STATEHOOD 65 

adopted by the government made it impossible for state units 
to be recognized and the regiments formed and named so that 
each state could retain its personal touch and feeling of owner- 
ship in them. The vastness of the organization, of course, 
precluded any such arrangement, and the greatest satisfaction 
available is to enter the figures which show the extent of Maine's 
participation in the knowledge that it is a record of which the 
state has every cause to be justly proud. 



EXERCISE V 

1. "Wlio was Maine's first governor? Where was his home ? Has 
any citizen of your town or city ever been governor of Maine ? Find 
out what you can about him. 

2. Where was the capital of the state first located? How long 
was it the capital and why was a change made? 

3. Have you ever visited the state house? Tell something of 
its history and the purpose for which it is used. 

4. What is the Blaine house and for what is it now used? 

5. ^\liat was the cause of the " Aroostook War " and what were the 
principal facts in connection with it? What was settled by it? 

6. Tell what prohibition meant and how Maine was the leader 
in the great movement for the suppression of the liquor traffic. What 
has been the result ? 

7. Tell about Maine's part in the Civil War. Read and learn 
"The Returned Maine Battle Flags." Who wrote the poem? How 
did he happen to do it? What two Maine generals were especially 
prominent in the war ? 

8. Tell about the growth of Maine after the state had recovered 
from the effects of the war. What of Aroostook County? 

9. In what places were Swedish colonies established and through 
whose influence ? Are they still in existence and have they developed ? 
Are there other parts of the state where there are considerable num- 
bers of people of a particular nationality? "Where? 

10. For what reason was the Maine militia sent to the Mexican 
border? Was any fighting done by them? 

11. What were the causes of the war with Germany and of the 
entering into it by the United States? Tell about the part played by 
Maine soldiers, 



66 THE STORY OF MAINE 

12. What provisions were made by the Maine legislature to assist 
in the war? 

13. What was the Committee on Public Safety? Were there any 
members of it in your town? Find out everything possible about its 
work. 

14. How many men from Maine served in the army or navy during 
the war? How many from j'our town or city? How many of them 
were wounded? How many were killed or died from disease or 
wounds? Did you know any of them? Did any receive recognition 
for distinguished service? 

15. What other facts of local interest do you know in connection 
with the war? How much was raised by your town or city by the 
sale of Liberty Bonds? War Savings Stamps? How much for the 
Red Cross? Who were your local leaders in these matters? 



CHAPTER VI 
HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN MAINE 

The Importance of Education. No measure is so well adapted 
to determine the real progress of a state and the interest taken 
by its inhabitants in civic development as the character and 
extent of its educational system. If that system is in a healthy 
condition, then we may be sure the people are awake to the 
demands of the times, not only for present needs but as a basis 
for future efficiency. 

Influence of Massachusetts on Our School System. Like 
other public institutions Maine's system of education has been 
largely influenced by its early connection with Massachusetts. 
Upon the statute books certain sections of the school law are 
taken word for word from the code of the mother state, and in 
many particulars the present organization has developed along 
almost identical lines. The centurj^ which has passed since 
Maine became a state has, however, meant the adopting of 
numerous policies particularly adapted to its own individual 
educational requirements. 

It must be recognized that to the Puritan influence belongs 
in large measure the credit for the fundamental interest which 
our people have at all times shown in the education of youth. 
Those God-fearing people who first braved the dangers of the 
New World for the sake of religious freedom considered the 
proper educational training of their children as the next essen- 
tial after their own regard for the discipline of religion. Under 
the circumstances it was but natural that their ministers should 
be expected to serve in the dual capacity of moral instructors and 
leaders for all the people of the community and also as teachers 
for their children. 

67 



68 THE STORY OF MAINE 

Private schools, with the minister as teacher, were held al- 
most as soon as the Massachusetts colonists had established 
themselves, and as early as 1636 the General Court of the colony 
made an appropriation of about $2000 for the purpose of 
setting up a school or college. This act was the beginning of 
the school which to-day is Harvard University in Cambridge. 
Six years later the Court passed an act which required every 
child to receive the benefits of an education. This was our first 
compulsory education law, but it did not provide means for 
making it effective and said nothing at all about maintaining 
public schools. 

The First School Codes. Only five years later, however, in 
1647, a new law was enacted, — the law which became the 
basis of the common school system of Massachusetts and of 
Maine. It remained practically unchanged in its fundamental 
provisions for nearly one hundred fifty years. It gave recogni- 
tion to the important principles that public schools should be 
established for all children of whatever class, that the main- 
tenance of these schools should be compulsory, that the parent 
is responsible for seeing that his children attend school, and that 
the state may determine the minimum amount of education a 
child shall receive. In addition, the law gave recognition to the 
school of higher grade which might be maintained at public 
expense to fit pupils for college. It should be noted further 
that the law did not compel the support of schools by a general 
tax but left the method of support to be determined locally, so 
long as some means were found for meeting the expenses. 

Up to and including the time of the Revolutionary^ War, the 
school code of 1647 was in effect. Soon after the close of that 
struggle, when the people had opportunity to turn their attention 
again to the projects of peace, the educational S3^stem was given 
careful consideration. In 1788 a law was enacted providing 
that, in the disposition of all townships of the public lands, 
there should be a lot of 320 acres reserved for the support of 
common schools in the township in which it was located. 

In 1789 an elaborate school law was enacted which gathered 
together all the principles and ideas which an experience of 



HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN MAINE 



69 



nearly a century and a half had demonstrated to be of value. 
In this new law it was required that every town having fifty 
families must furnish annuall}^ six months of schooling, which 
might be in one or more schools. A longer aggregate time was 
required of the larger towns. All towns of two hundred families 
must support a grammar school. 

The following jear the power of taxing the people for support 
of schools was given and authority granted for buying land and 



?"■"£ 




A Modern Schoolhouse Built of Logs 

The early schoolhouses were of similar construction, but of much cruder 
finish and equipment. 



building schoolhouses at public expense. Towns were divided 
into districts for school purposes and each town by vote was 
empowered to fix the limits of these districts. Such was the 
general plan of public education when Maine was separated 
from Massachusetts in 1820 and set up its own government. 
Maine's Educational Code. One of the first important acts 
of the state legislature was the adoption of a school code. It 
provided that every town should raise and expend for the support 
of schools not less than forty cents annually for each inhabitant, 
and that this money should be divided among the school districts 



70 THE STORY OF MAINE 

of the town according to the number of persons therein between 
the ages of four and twenty-one years. It further provided 
for the election by the town of a superintending school com- 
mittee, defined the qualifications of those who might be employed 
as teachers, and enumerated the subjects to be taught, including 
morality, sobriety, and industry. 

A very important law was passed by the legislature of 1828 
which directed that twenty townships of the public lands should 
be sold and the proceeds deposited in the state treasury to form 
a permanent school fund, the interest from which was to be 
distributed among the several towns for the support of- common 
schools. This was the beginning of assistance by the state in 
the maintaining of schools. In 1833 the tax received by the 
state on all banks was made available for schools in the towns 
and was to be distributed each year by the state treasurer ac- 
cording to the number of scholars therein. 

State Board of Education. A state l^oard of education was 
established in 1846 with a secretary whose duty it should be to 
exercise a general supervision over the schools of the state and 
especially to confer with school committees and advise them as 
to the best method of carrying on the schools and of providing 
for their improvement. The first secretary of the board was 
William G. Crosby, of Belfast. His report, made in 1847, gives 
the first reliable statistics relative to the schools of Maine. By 
this report we learn that the average wage of female teachers 
was $1.52 per week and of male teachers $16.71 per month, 
exclusive of board. The average length of schools for the year 
was 21 weeks, 1 day. The number of persons between four and 
twenty-one years of age was 201,992. The numl^er of pupils 
enrolled was 96,127, less than 50 per cent of those of legal school 
age. 

Our first child labor law was enacted in 1847, which provided 
that children employed between the ages of twelve and fifteen 
years must attend school for three months each year, while those 
under twelve years were required to be in school for four months. 
The employing of children less than twelve years of age now 
seems to indicate a very low regard for child welfare, but then 



HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN MAINE 71 

it was a very common practice for children of this age to work in 
cotton or woolen mills. 

State Superintendent of Schools. A law providing for a state 
superintendent of schools was passed in 1854. The state board 
of education had been legislated out of office four years before 
and county school commissioners established, but this system 
was of .short duration. The state superintendent was charged 
with the duty of devoting his time to the improvement of schools 
in the state by keeping in the closest possible touch with all 
educational developments and the holding of teachers' conven- 
tions in each county for at least one week each year. He was 
also to collect statistics, give public addresses, advise teachers 
and school committees, and disseminate information concern- 
ing the best rhethods of school management as widely as possible. 

First Reliable Statistics. The first state superintendent of 
schools was Charles H. Lord, of Portland. He served only a 
short time and was succeeded by Mark H. Bunnell, of Norway, 
who made a very complete report of school conditions in the 
state for the school year ending April 1, 1855. From this report 
we learn that there were then, according to the return of the 
school census, 238,248 children between four and twenty-one 
years of age. Of these there were enrolled in the summer 
schools 123,641, and in the winter schools 142,220. The 
average wage of male teachers was S20.57 per month, and the 
average of female teachers was $1.90 per week, both exclusive 
of board. The amount of money raised by taxes for the 
support of schools was $333,019.76, and the total expenditure 
for school purposes was $491,060.29. There were reported 
to be 2088 poor schoolhouses in the state and 1752 good 
ones. Just what kind of schoolhouse was considered a good 
one we have no means of knowing.^ 

The first state teachers' convention was held in Waterville in 
1859. It continued in session three days and an association was 
formed which elected officers and made plans for holding an 
annual meeting. 

Establishment of Normal Schools. In accordance with the 
act of the legislature of 1863, a normal school for the professional 



72 THE STORY OF MAINE 

training of teachers was established at Farmington and was 
opened August 24, 1864, with an enrolhnent of fifty-nine 
students. They came from thirteen different counties. The 
opening of this first normal school must be regarded as one 
of the most important educational events in the history of the 
state, since it gave recognition for the first time to the respon- 
sibility of the state for providing at public expense the facilities 
for assuring to its children a quality of instruction which only 
persons trained for the work could give. 

Free High Schools. State aid for higher education was 
provided by a law passed in 1873 which gave towns the power to 
establish free high schools and receive from the state one-half 
the amount expended for instruction therein, not to exceed a 
maximum of five hundred dollars in any one year. This also 
was a most important law and marked the placing of high schools 
on somewhat the same basis as the common schools as public 
institutions to be specially encouraged. 

Compulsory Education. While there had been for some time 
a compulsory attendance law it was not until 1887 that it was 
made at all stringent. In that year the requirement was enacted 
that all children* between the ages of eight and fifteen years 
should attend some public school for at least sixteen weeks 
annually, and towns were required to elect truant officers to 
enforce the law under penalty of fine of from ten to fifty dollars 
for neglect to do so. Boys who were habitual truants should be 
committed to the State Reform School. At the same time the 
child labor law was amended to provide that no child should be 
employed in any factory under fifteen years of age, except during 
vacation, unless he had attended school for at least the minimum 
of sixteen weeks during the preceding year. 

Twelve years later, in 1899, the ages of children within which 
the compulsory education law applied was changed to seven and 
fifteen years. In addition, the period of required attendance 
was changed from sixteen weeks each year to include all the 
time schools were in session regardless of the specific period, 
which at that time meant at least twenty weeks, since all towns 
were required to maintain schools for that minimum number of 



HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN MAINE 73 

weeks annually. The later increase in the minimum length of 
the school year to twenty-six weeks, and in 1915 to thirty weeks, 
with the requirement of compulsory attendance remaining as 
before, were legislative steps which went far toward guaran- 
teeing to every child an uninterrupted school life, at least through 
the elementary grades if he made reasonably good progress. 

Free Textbooks. A very important law was passed in 1889 
which specified that all towns must provide free textbooks for 
the pupils in the schools. School committees were also required 
to make necessary regulations for the distribution and preserva- 
tion of books and appliances furnished by the town. 

District System Abolished. Until the year 1893, towns had 
the option of remaining under the district system of school 
management which was bequeathed to them from Massachu- 
setts and which had gradually been changed through permissive 
legislation, allowing the election of a superintendent for all the 
schools and their administration under a general committee, 
without observing the old district lines. At that time more than 
150 towns had voluntarily abandoned the district system. The 
legislature of that year, after a bitter fight by those who desired 
to retain control of the local school in the hands of purely local 
officers, passed a law abolishing all the districts and establishing 
the town as the unit for school management throughout the 
state. This, with subsequent legislation which allowed two or 
more towns to unite in the employment of a superintendent 
who should devote his whole time to the work of school super- 
vision, was a long step toward the present state-wide system of 
professional supervision. 

While there were very vital changes in and additions to the 
laws governing the schools during the years immediately 
following those which we have just considered, yet the time is 
so comparatively recent that a clearer conception of these changes 
can probably be gained by a brief survey of the whole educa- 
tional system of the state as it exists at the opening of the 
second century of the state as a separate commonwealth. 



74 THE STORY OF MAINE 

EXERCISE VI 

1 . Why have the schools of Maine resembled those of Massachusetts, 
especially in their methods of management ? 

2. Why was it deemed proper, as it still is, to tax all of the people 
to secure money for support of schools? 

3. What method was adopted to establish a permanent school fund 
for the state ? 

4. For what purpose was the state superintendent of schools ap- 
pointed? Who is the present state superintendent? 

5. Wlien and for what reason was the first normal school established? 
Wliere was it? Why should the state maintain normal schools? 

6. How long ago did the state first give financial aid for the sup- 
port of high schools? Why was this important? What was the 
method of securing higher education before the tlays of numerous free 
high schools? 

7. What is meant by compulsory education? Wliy was it deemed 
advisable to pass a law making compulsory education a requirement ? 
Is it of importance that every one should have at least a certain amount 
of school privileges? How did the first law differ from the one we 
have now? 

8. When did the law first require towns to furnish textbooks to 
pupils free of charge? What are the advantages of this method over 
that which requires parents to buy books for their children ? 

9. Can you find out what were the limits of the school district in 
which you live before the individual districts were abolished? Find 
out what was the method of managing schools under the district 
system. 



CHAPTER VII 
THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 

The General Plan. In the preceding pages we have seen 
how the public school system has developed from one in which 
there was little of real organization to one having each part well 
defined and placed under the control of officers elected to serve 
the educational interests of every child within the state limits. 
At the present time it is impossible, so far as the law is concerned, 
for any child to be so situated as to be denied the benefits of 
school privileges. No matter whether he lives in our largest 
cities or in the depths of the forest, on a remote farm or lonely 
island outpost, there is provision made so that he can be taught 
at public expense. Few states, if any, go to such lengths as Maine 
in the effort to avoid the possibility of any future citizen grow- 
ing up in ignorance. The state has reason to be proud of taking 
such advanced ground and of leaving no stone unturned to 
carry the school to all its children. Yet no investment is so 
sure to return satisfactory dividends as that which is made in 
training boys and girls. 

The Maine school system is organized with the township, or 
town, as we call it in New England, as the unit, except in the 
employment of a superintendent of schools. The general term 
"town" will be used to include also the city and plantation, ex- 
cept in cases where the city will be specifically mentioned as 
distinct from the town in its relation to school affairs. In many 
of the western states the county is a school unit, but it is in no 
way recognized in Maine so far as educational matters are con- 
cerned. Fundamentally, the control of schools is placed in the 
hands of local officers, but frequently the voters are given power 
to veto proposals of the school authorities or are required to 
authorize a project before it can be legally undertaken. Only 

75 



76 THE STORY OF MAINE 

when state financial aid is involved or when the relations of 
one town to another are to be considered is any outside agency 
given the power to interfere with the management of any school, 
so long as the general provisions of the law are complied with. 
The state is given jurisdiction over courses of study, but even 
in this there is ample opportunity offered for modifications to 
meet local conditions. 

In considering the whole situation, therefore, it is important 
that this local self-government idea be constantly borne in mind, 
since to it may be attributed in large measure the difference in 
the development of educational facilities in towns which are 
located in close proximity to each other. 

The State Superintendent. At the head of the school systein 
is the state superintendent of public schools, appointed by the 
governor with the approval of his council for a term of three 
years. There is no state board of education. The state super- 
intendent has a deputy and several agents to assist in carrying 
on the work of his office, with a corps of clerks and stenographers. 
His duties include the promotion of interest in education through- 
out the state by public addresses, the issuing of circulars and 
pamphlets containing information relative to approved methods 
of teaching and school administration, the advising of school 
officers in particular problems which they are called upon to 
solve, and many other functions of a very general character in 
cooperation with other agencies for educational and civic 
advancement. In addition to these general duties the state 
superintendent is required to issue a course of study for elemen- 
tary schools and approve courses in high schools ; to secure 
from the local officers of towns annual statistics of financial 
support and expenditures for schools; reports in detail as to 
the number of pupils, teachers, school buildings, and all other 
items showing the condition of the schools ; to approve or fur- 
nish plans for new buildings or reconstruction of old ones ; to 
legalize the employment of teachers by issuing state teachers' 
certificates ; to apportion state financial aid to towns for the 
various purposes prescribed by law ; to serve as a member and 
executive officer of the board of trustees of state normal schools ; 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 77 



to hold teachers' institutes and summer schools for teachers ; 
to arrange for the schooling of children living in the unorganized 
territory of the state; to issue certificates of authority to all 
superintendents of schools ; to grant pensions to teachers of 
long service ; to maintain an employment bureau for teachers ; 
and to perform a great number of other duties which need not 
here be specifically mentioned. It will be seen that the law 
gives to the state superintendent broad powers and places upon 




A Modern Rural School 

him heavy obligations pertaining to the general welfare of the 
whole educational system. 

Local School Officers. Every town is required to have a 
superintending school committee of three members, except in a 
few special instances in which the number of members has been 
fixed by the legislature. Each member is elected for three years 
by vote of the town at its annual meeting in March. The usual 
situation is such that one member is elected each year to succeed 
the one whose term expires. In case a vacancy occurs during 
the year, the other members are required to appoint some one 
to fill the vacancy until the next town meeting, when as many 



78 THE STORY OF MAINE 

members are elected as are necessary to make the committee 
complete. Women, as well as men, may serve as members of 
the school committee. Cities elect school committees or boards 
of education in accordance with the special provisions of their 
charters. No committee member is allowed to serve as a teacher 
in the town in which he is elected. Each committee is required 
to elect one or more attendance officers annually whose duty it 
is to see that truants are placed in school or otherwise dis- 
posed of as the law provides. 

Towns or cities having more than fifty schools may have a 
superintendent of schools elected by the committee or board of 
education to exercise general supervision over the schools of that 
one municipality. If, however, a town has less than fifty 
schools or exactly that number, it must be joined with another 
town or towns by the state superintendent for the employment 
of some person to supervise its schools. AVhen a union of towns 
is thus formed, the members of the committees of the several 
towns meet at an appointed time as a joint committee and elect 
a superintendent for the towns as a group. They fix his salary 
to be apportioned among the several towns in proportion to the 
amount of time he is to devote to each. Of the salary deter- 
mined upon, the state pays to the superintendent the sum of eight 
hundred dollars per year in equal monthly installments, pro- 
viding the salary fixed is twelve hundred dollars or more, and 
the towns pay him the remainder. If the salary is less than 
twelve hundred dollars, then the state pays two-thirds of it. 
The person elected must hold a state certificate for the work 
and must devote all his time to it, giving to each town in the 
union the amount of service assigned to it by the joint committee. 
Superintendents of cities or towns having more than fifty sohools 
receive their salaries entirely from the municipality, which is 
each year reimbursed by the state to the amount of eight hun- 
dred dollars. Superintendents of unions of towns may receive, 
in addition to the amount above specified from the state, a 
sum not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars per year to assist in 
defraying expenses of travel and other necessary expenditures 
in the performance of their duties. 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 79 

In addition to the 132 school unions, there are seven cities 
and one town which have more than fifty schools each. The lat- 
ter are Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Auburn, Lewiston, Biddeford, 
Waterville, and Sanford. There are two towns, Harpswell and 
Wesley, which are so situated geographically that they could not 
be included in unions to advantage and these have local agents 
of the state superintendent to supervise their schools. 

On the first day of April of each year superintendents of 
schools are required to make an enumeration of all persons liv- 
ing in their towns who are between the ages of five and twenty- 
one years. This is called the school census. On August first, 
returns of all common school statistics are required to be filed 
with the state superintendent and on July first similar re- 
ports of high schools and special educational activities are 
submitted. 

Schools in Unorganized Territory. Nearly half of the total 
area of the state is included in unorganized territory. In other 
words, approximately one-half is not included within the limits 
of any city, town, or plantation, and is known as wild land. 
This unorganized territory has no local officers to administer 
the affairs of the several thousand people living in it who are 
engaged largely in various branches of the lumber industry, 
agriculture, or sporting activities. Persons of school age are 
found in this area, and were it not for the state's interest in 
them, a comparatively small percentage would have the benefit 
of school privileges. The increasing number of such children 
led the legislature of 1895 to pass a law providing for their 
education under the immediate direction of the state superin- 
tendent of schools. Since that time this part of the school 
system has developed until it requires the entire time of one man 
to administer it. School privileges are provided, either by 
maintaining a special school or by sending children to neigh- 
boring schools, in about 70 different townships. Teachers are 
employed who travel about from one lighthouse station to an- 
other on the coast, remaining a few days in each place and giving 
such instruction and general direction to the school work of the 
few children at each place as is possible in the length of time. 



80 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



There is no child in all this unorganized territory who is not 
given an opportunity to attend school. 

For the support of this part of the school system there is an 
annual appropriation by the state, of which a part may be used 
for school building purposes. In addition to the amount of 
this appropriation, there is also available the proceeds from a 
poll tax of three dollars assessed upon each man who is resident 
of unorganized territory, and the amount of the interest of a 
public land fund credited to some of the townships. While 




A Modern City Grade School 
The Chamberlain Primary School, Auburn. 

this division of our state educational organization is compara- 
tively small, yet it is doubtful if any other part is more impor- 
tant in proportion to the number of children affected. 

Duties of Superintendents and Committees. The school 
committee of each town is given almost complete jurisdiction 
over the schools of that town, except as certain standards are 
required by law to be met in all cases, which, therefore, leave no 
discretionary power in the hands of local officers so far as those 
items are concerned. The committee member, as an individual, 
has no legal authority over the schools beyond that of any other 
citizen, but when in session the members, as a body, may deter- 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 81 

mine important policies and make far-reaching decisions. The 
disposition of school funds and the control of school buildings 
both come within the jurisdiction of the committee. All teach- 
ers must be approved by the committee, and no vouchers for 
the payment of bills from any school appropriation can legally 
be issued except with the approval of a majority of the mem- 
bers of the committee. Other matters of importance which 
require committee approval include plans for new school build- 
ings or for reconstruction, the selection of textbooks, arrange- 
ments relative to the tuition of elementary pupils from other 
towns, the granting of certain holidays, and absence of teachers 
for attending conventions. Full control is given the committee 
over the discontinuing of any school for not more than a year 
unless otherwise instructed by vote of the town. No school 
in which the average attendance during any school year has 
been less than eight pupils can legally be maintained unless 
the town votes to continue it, but such vote is not valid until 
after the school committee has recommended in writing that 
such action be taken. A new school can be established only 
by vote of the town. Whenever there is a question raised as 
to whether or not a child shall be transported to school the 
committee has absolute authority to decide upon the necessity 
for it. The law fixes neither age nor distance limit and leaves 
the committee to consider these factors together with any 
and all others that may affect the situation. The .dismissal 
of teachers after due notice and investigation, the expulsion 
of pupils from school as well as their transfer from school to 
school, and their classification while in school are matters over 
which the committee has full jurisdiction. 

The superintendent of schools, elected by the joint com- 
mittee or by the city board of education, is the executive officer 
of the local committee in each town which he serves and acts 
also as the professional adviser of the committee. He further 
acts as secretary of the committee, keeping record of its votes, 
vouchers approved against appropriations, contracts of various 
kinds, and all matters of which permanent record should be 
made. He is specifically required by law to take the school 



82 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



census and make return of it to the state superintendent as 
well as to make return of all school statistics ; to visit the 
schools and direct and supervise the work of all teachers ; to 
nominate teachers and employ them upon their approval 
by the committee ; to select textbooks, supplies, and appara- 
tus, and place orders for the purchase of the same after the 
committee has authorized it ; to distribute and account for 
all supplies, and to enforce or cause to be enforced all regula- 
tions of the committee. As a matter of fact it is the practice 




The Portland High School 
Completed in 1919 at a cost of nearly one million dollars. 

of a large number of committees to delegate such functions 
as may be thus transferred to the superintendent, who then 
becomes virtually the director general of all the school affairs 
of the town, consulting the committee only for general in- 
structions, with the exception of such matters as the law 
specifically requires shall be acted upon by the committee. 

High Schools. High schools may be established and main- 
tained by towns to the number of two, and adjoining towns 
may maintain a union school. There are recognized three 
classes of high schools. The first is known as the Class A 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 8S 

school, which must have at least two teachers and must offer a 
standard course of four years of thirty-six weeks each. The 
second is the Class B school, which must offer a standard course 
of at least two years, and the third is the Junior High School, 
which may offer a course including not more than two years 
of high school work and the same number of years of elementary 
work. All courses must receive the approval of the state 
superintendent, who is required to see that the schools are 
inspected and to determine what ones are to be included in each 
class. A maximum of five hundred dollars in state aid is paid 
to each town or city maintaining schools of these classes, but 
in no case can the state aid be in excess of two-thirds the 
amount expended for instruction in high school subjects. 

Towns not maintaining high schools must pay the tuition 
to the amount of forty-five dollars per year for each qualified 
pupil who attends any approved high school or academy. A 
town may from year to year authorize its school committee 
to contract with a high school or academy in an adjoining 
town or with an academy within the town for the instruction 
of all its pupils qualified for high school work. . When ex- 
penditure is made either for tuition or under a contract, state 
aid is payable on the same basis as if the expenditure had been 
made for maintaining a high school. Funds for high school 
maintenance must be provided by towns entirely separate 
from and in addition to those for common schools. 

Compulsory Education. The compulsory education law 
provides that every child between seven and fifteen years of 
age, and every child between fifteen and seventeen who cannot 
read and write in the English language, must attend some pub- 
lic day school for the full period of its sessions during each year. 
A penalty is provided of fine or imprisonment for those having 
control of children who do not comply with the provisions of 
the law, and an habitual truant may be placed in a reform 
school or other house of reformation. Superintendents and 
teachers may excuse absence for cause and children may at- 
tend other schools in lieu of the public schools provided the 
course of study is approved by the state superintendent. 



84 THE STORY OF MAINE 

Child Labor. The child labor law is designed to fit the 
compulsory education requirements. No child under four- 
teen years of age may work in any mechanical or manufactur- 
ing establishment. No child under fifteen may work at any 
business for hire during the time schools are in session. No 
child between fifteen and sixteen may be employed during 
the time schools are in session unless he has completed the 
sixth grade. Work permits must be issued by the superin- 
tendent of schools before a child under sixteen may be employed 
anywhere at any time. The state commissioner of labor and 
industry has charge of the enforcement of the child labor law. 

School Money. Every town is required by law to raise 
annually by taxation eighty cents for each inhabitant for the 
support of common schools. Very few towns, however, raise 
so small an amount as this minimum. In addition to the 
funds provided by local taxation the state imposes a tax of 
three mills for every dollar of property valuation in the state 
for the same purpose and distributes the amount to towns 
each year in December. There is also a state school fund 
which consists of the proceeds arising from the interest at six 
per cent on the permanent school fund of the state, and, in 
addition, the amount of one-half the tax assessed upon savings 
banks and trust companies. 

The first one and one-half mills of state taxes is called the 
School Mill Fund, while the second one and one-half mills is 
known as the Common School Fund. Before any of these funds 
are distributed to towns the law provides that there shall be de- 
ducted certain amounts for special school purposes under the 
direct control of the state. After this has been done the School 
Mill Fund and one-third of the Common School Fund is dis- 
tributed to towns according to the number of persons included in 
the school census on April first of that year. The remainder of 
the Common School Fund is distributed on the basis of the valua- 
tion of each town as fixed by the state assessors. The amount 
each town receives from the Common School Fund is allowed 
to go toward meeting the requirement of eighty cents per capita 
before mentioned. 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 85 

A special provision of the law is to the effect that none of the 
money raised by towns for the support of common schools or 
paid by the state for that purpose can be used for any other 
purpose than the wages and board of teachers, transportation 
of children, fuel, janitor services, and the tuition and board 
of pupils. All such items as books, repairs, rent, and the like 
must be paid for from special appropriations by the towns. 

A state appropriation is made annually for the purpose of 
aiding the poorer towns to maintain their schools at a higher 
point of efficiency. It is called the Equalization Fund for 
Common Schools. No town is eligible to share in the appor- 
tionment of this fund unless the amount of money raised by 
it for common school support is such as to cause its tax rate 
for this purpose to be above the average of such rates for the 
state, while at the same time the town's general tax rate is also 
above the average of such rates for the state. No limita- 
tions are placed upon the amount of the apportionments to be 
made by the state superintendent in any case and he may direct 
that the money be used for increasing wages of teachers, length- 
ening the school year, or for any other purpose which he be- 
lieves will increase the efficiency of the common schools. 

There is also an appropriation to be used for secondary 
schools in much the same way, but in this case the law does not 
Imiit the apportionments to those towns having the highest 
tax rates. 

Normal Schools. The state maintains five normal schools 
and one special training school for the professional education 
of teachers. The first normal school was established at Farm- 
ington in 1863, the second at Castine in 1867, the third at 
Gorham in 1878, the- fourth at Presque Isle in 1903, and the 
fifth at Machias in 1909. At Fort Kent there was established 
in 1878 the Madawaska Training School. Its purpose was 
the training of teachers for the large French-speaking popula- 
tion in the northern part of the state. For some years there 
were no permanent buildings for this school, and its sessions 
were held alternately at Fort Kent and Van Buren, but in 
1887 it was finally located at Fort Kent and a building erected 



86 THE STORY OF MAINE 

there. It is not of the same standard as the regular state nor- 
mal schools, but aims to make its course especially adapted to 
fit its graduates to teach in the elementary schools of that 
section. The normal schools have a course of two years and 
require the equivalent of the completion of a standard four- 
year secondary school course for admission. 

These six schools are supported by an annual state appro- 
priation. They are under the control of a board of five trustees, 
of which the state superintendent of schools is an ex-officio 
member. At Farmington a special course is maintained for the 
training of teachers of home economics and at Gorham there 
is a course to prepare teachers of industrial arts. Separate 
buildings are available at these schools well equipped for the 
specialized work which is undertaken. 

All the schools have excellent recitation and administration 
buildings as well as commodious and attractive dormitories 
erected at different times by the state. An appropriation is 
made annually by the legislature to provide buildings and 
equipment under the direction of the board of trustees. 

The training which the normal schools offer is primarily 
vocational. It is intended to serve as a direct preparation for 
the teaching profession. Through these schools the state 
gives recognition to one of the most important factors in the 
advancement of the school system, — the placing of instruction 
of our young people upon a professional basis. No longer 
do we feel satisfied to have a large percentage of our schools 
in charge of teachers who have had no special training for 
their work. Instead, we have come to realize more and more 
keenly the fact that teaching children is a vocation in which 
the very best natural talent should be enlisted and that talent 
developed to the highest possible degree through the influence 
of strong personalities and surroundings of the most refined 
and inspiring nature. It is exactly these requirements which 
the normal schools seek to meet. 

In connection with each of the schools there is maintained 
a practice school in which are all the elementary grades. Here 
the students of the normal schools have opportunity to ob- 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 87 

serve the teaching of each subject by an expert ^teacher, who 
has charge of the room, and during the last year of the course 
each student also is required to perform the actual work of 
teaching for several weeks under the direction of one of these 
experts. The course of study in each school includes not only 
this practical application of the teaching methods which the stu- 
dents have studied but a great many other subjects intended 
to provide a broad general educational background. Each' 
student is given work in manual training, domestic science. 




Buildings and Grounds of the Gorham Normal School 

agriculture, and physical training in order to provide a suffi- 
cient knowledge of these branches to enable each graduate 
to give such instruction in them as may be required of her in 
connection with her regular work as a grade teacher. 

The schools are located in places which are well adapted to 
provide an ideal setting for such institutions. Not one is in a 
city. All are in towns, however, of sufficient size to furnish 
the number of children necessary to make up the practice 
schools. Each is situated amid healthful and attractive sur- 
roundings. Gorham is only a short distance from Portland, 
while both Farmington and Presque Isle are in the heart of two 
of the most fertile and prosperous farming sections of the state. 



88 THE STORY OF MAINE 

Machias and'Castine are coast towns having splendid scenic 
attractions as well as being particularly rich in their histori- 
cal associations. Fort Kent is in the beautiful valley of the 
St. John. It is a progressive town and well located to serve as 
headquarters for the training of teachers for the Madawaska 
territory. 

Industrial and Vocational Education. The first recognition 
given by law to any form of industrial education in the state 
was in 1871 when the legislature passed an act authorizing 
cities and towns to make provision for giving free instruction 
in industrial or mechanical drawing to persons ' over fifteen 
years of age, either in day or evening schools. No further 
legislation on this subject was enacted until 1901 when towns 
were authorized to establish manual training schools, and in 
1909 provision was made for reimbursing any incorporated 
academy to the extent of not more than $250 annually for 
each of the three courses : manual training, domestic science, 
and agriculture. The legislature of that year further pro- 
vided for an investigation of the systems of industrial education 
in this and foreign countries, to be made by the state superin- 
tendent of schools, with instructions that he report his findings 
to the next legislature with such recommendations as he might 
wish to make. 

Out of this investigation and report grew the law which is 
now in effect except for slight changes in the amount of state 
reimbursement provided. This law directs the board of nor- 
mal school trustees to maintain the two special training courses 
above mentioned, as well as elementary courses in manual 
training and domestic science in all the normal schools as a 
part of the required course. All towns or cities maintaining 
industrial courses for which state aid is expected must have them 
approved by the state superintendent of schools. This con- 
dition having been met and the teachers having been properly 
certificated, the state reimburses annually for elementary 
school courses on the basis of two-thirds the cost of instruc- 
tion except that not more than $800 can be paid on account 
of any one teacher. The same basis of reimbursement is pro- 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 89 

vided for courses in home economics, industrial arts, or agri- 
culture in high schools and academies, but the maximum aid 
for each school is $750, and no aid can be paid for any course 
in which the average attendance of pupils for the year is less 
than twelve. Towns maintaining evening schools also re- 
ceive reimbursement under the same law to an extent of two- 
thirds the cost of instruction. 

Supplementing the state's already admirable statute for 
the support of industrial education, the legislature of 1917 
accepted the provisions of the Federal Smith-Hughes law 
providing government funds for vocational education in the 
several states in the departments of home economics, agricul- 
ture, and the trades and industries. A special appropriation is 
available from the state to be used in connection with this vo- 
cational work. Several all-day, part-time, and evening schools 
giving courses in shipbuilding, paper making, shoe and leather 
work, automobile repairing, home economics, and agriculture 
are in operation under this impetus. The training of teachers 
for this work is done at the normal schools at Farmington and 
Gorham, and at the University of Maine at Orono. The fact 
that Maine had already done a large amount of preliminary 
work along similar lines made it comparatively easy to re- 
organize many of the courses with little change in order to meet 
the requirements of the Smith-Hughes law. 

State Certification of Teachers. For many years Maine 
required local certification of all teachers in the public schools, 
while provision was made for the state certification of such as 
desired to qualify. Several bills to require compulsory state 
certification were introduced at various times in the legis- 
lature, but it was not until 1913 that such a law was passed. 
It provides that all public school teachers shall hold state 
certificates except that, for one year, any teacher who meets 
the minunum requirements for a state certificate may be em- 
ployed on the basis of a temporary non-renewable teaching 
permit issued by the superintendent for whom she may teach 
after passing such examination as he sees fit to give. .Before 
issuing this permit, however, the local superintendent must 



90 



THE STORY OF MAINE 



apply to the state superintendent for a form of permit, and he 
is required to certify to the name and educational qualifications 
of the person to whom the permit is to be issued. 

No teacher may receive a certificate or temporary permit 
who is not seventeen years of age, or who has not completed 
the equivalent of a standard four-year secondary school course. 
Those who are to be employed in secondary schools must have 
completed at least the equivalent of two years of college or 
normal school work. Certificates are granted on any of four 




The Bangor High School 

Completed in 1913 to replace the buildinE; destroj'ed in the great fire which 
wiped out a large part of the center of the city. 

different bases : (1) written examination ; (2) two or more 
years of successful teaching service ; (3) graduation from a 
college or a normal or training school ; (4) a certificate of 
similar grade issued by authority of another state. All cer- 
tificates are of state-wide validity for the grade of school for 
which they are issued, and they indicate in themselves the 
basis on which they have been granted. 

Teachers' Pensions. A law providing for the pensioning 
of teachers by the state was passed in 1913. The amounts 
payable are comparatively small, but are entirely gratuitous, 
since no contribution is required of teachers who wish to be- 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 91 

come recipients of the pension, as is the case in many other 
states. 

Briefly, the law provides that teachers, upon reaching the 
age of sixty years, who have completed twenty-five years of 
service in teaching as their principal occupation, twenty years 
of which, including the last fifteen, have been in Maine, shall 
receive an annual pension of $150. The service must have 
been in schools under public control and supported at least 
three-fifths by public funds. Thirty years of service under 
the above conditions entitles the teacher to receive $200 per 
year, and thirty-five years of service the maximum of $250. 
Those who retired before the law became effective are entitled 
to receive pensions of one-half the above amounts. 

Physical Education and Medical Inspection. A physical 
education law was passed by the 1919 legislature which re- 
quires all schools to make provision for physical training and 
physical education of an elementary nature beginning with 
the school year 1920. A course of study to serve as a basis 
for this work is outlined by the state superintendent of schools. 
An appropriation is included which is to be used in reimburs- 
ing towns and cities which employ special directors or super- 
visors of physical training. The state aid is paid on the basis 
of one-half the salaries paid such directors with a maximum of 
$800 for each of not more than two for any one city or town. 

Since 1909 towns have been authorized to employ school 
physicians, and for the same length of time it has been re- 
quired that medical inspection to the extent of testing the sight 
and hearing of all pupils in th6 public schools should be given 
annually. In 1919 an attempt was made to enact a law making 
the employment of school physicians and nurses compulsory 
in all towns, together with an adequate state-wide system of 
medical inspection, but the bill met with opposition and finally 
failed of enactment. 

Training of Special Rural Teachers. What is probably 
one of the most far-reaching and well-adapted policies for the 
improvement of rural education was given the force of law by 
the legislature of 1919. The plan was to select one hundrec^ 



92 THE STORY OF MAINE 

of the strongest rural teachers of the state, teachers who had 
had sufficient experience to demonstrate properly their ability 
and rural-mindedness, and give them six weeks of intensive 
training during the summer for the specific purpose of sending 
them back to the towns in which they were teaching. They 
were to continue their work in their own schools and at the 
same time to serve as helping teachers for the other schools 
in the town. All the expenses of the teachers in attending 
the summer school were paid by the state and a state bonus of 
twenty-five per cent of the salary paid by the town is given 
each teacher at the close of the year. 

The plan proposes to continue this training of a hundred 
teachers each year indefinitely and thus establish a real rural 
teaching profession in the state. Thus the rural school teacher 
is assured of at least as remunerative a position as her fellow 
worker in the village or city, and at the same time is offered a 
much wider field for service in assisting other teachers who are 
not so well trained. Those selected for this special woi^k are 
expected to have completed a normal school course or have had 
equivalent training as well as teaching experience. A state 
appropriation is made for the purpose of meeting the expenses 
of the summer school, including salaries of instructors and 
lecturers, traveling expenses of teachers to and from the school, 
their board and room while in attendance, and of providing 
for the state bonuses of the preceding school year. 

Academies. The early demand for educational opportuni- 
ties in advance of the elementary school was met in Maine, 
as in many other states, by the establishing of private academies, 
seminaries, or institutes. For many years these institutions 
furnished the only means for secondary education available to 
our youth, but as the people became more and more desirous 
of such facilities the demand increased for the establishing 
of schools of this grade to be maintained at public expense. 
Furthermore, the fact that many students were barred from 
securing the advantages of higher education because the in- 
stitutions where it could be obtained were located at consider- 
able distance, had much to do with bringing about the action 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 93 

of the state legislature in 1873 whereby state aid to the ex- 
tent of $500 per year was granted to towns establishing and 
maintaining free high schools. 

This law was a death blow to many of the academies, which, 
at best, had a hard struggle for existence, since it immediately 
brought into the field a host of competing institutions with the 
power of property taxation for their support. Many of the 
private institutions transferred their buildings and funds to 
the towns and became free high schools. This process has 
been going on ever since to a greater or less extent as the 
constant increase in the number of public schools of secondary 
grade has more and more restricted the field of the academies. 
Many of those still retaining their corporate organization are 
little more than free high schools for the towns in which they are 
located and those which adjoin. These are largely supported 
by town appropriation and by aid from the state. A few of 
the stronger institutions, by reason of a fairly large endow- 
ment, have been able to continue as in other years and serve 
much mofe than a local field. These include several schools 
which were established and are controlled and supported by 
religious denominations. 

In 1901 a general law was passed by the legislature which 
gave distinct recognition to the work of the academies and 
established a schedule of state aid based on their courses and 
attendance. In addition to this general aid the state has fre- 
quently made other special appropriations to individual acad- 
emies for specific purposes such as buildings, repairs, equip- 
ment, and maintenance. The academy law of 1901 as amended 
by several later acts provides state aid of $500 per year to 
each academy- which maintains an English course of study 
of four years, provided the average attendance for the year 
is more than thirty students, or, failing in this, provided the 
average for the five years preceding is more than thirty and 
provided, further, that no aid will be paid to any academy 
which has an income from invested funds in excess of $2000 
per year. If the average attendance is more than sixty, state 
aid of $750 per year is paid when an additional course in 



94 THE STORY OF MAINE 

preparation for college is maintained and $1000 if still another 
course for the training of teachers is given. Not more than 
$500 can be paid if the income from invested funds is over 
$1000. The average attendance in each of the courses must 
be at least twelve in order for it to be recognized. As has 
already been stated under the section dealing with industrial 
education, an academy may also receive state aid for such courses 
to the maximum of $750 per year, so that it is possible for 
$1750 of state money to be paid to an academy each year 
without special appropriation. 

Colleges and the University of Maine. The first Maine 
college was established at Brunswick in 1794, and was named 
Bowdoin College after James Bowdoin, a son of Governor 
Bowdoin of Massachusetts. He himself was minister to 
Spain while Jefferson was President of the United States, and 
when the college was founded, he endowed the institution 
with money and large tracts of land in Bowdoinham and Lis- 
bon. The college opened in 1802, and its long history contains 
record of some of our nation's best known and most resj^ected 
men who have been numbered among its students or who 
have served upon its faculty. Among the most famous are 
Henry W. Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne. 

In 1820 the Medical School of Maine was chartered and 
placed under the control of the college. It has developed 
into a school of high standing among the medical schools of 
the country and a large part of its work is now carried on in 
Portland. 

The second college founded in the state is located at Water- 
ville and is known as Colby College. It was opened in 1818 
under the auspices of the Baptist Association of Maine and was 
first largely devoted to the study of theology. It was chartered 
as the " Maine Literary and Theological Institution." It was 
not until 1820 that any of the college buildings were erected. 
The legislature of Maine in 1821 changed the name to Water- 
ville College, and again in 1867 it was changed to Colby Uni- 
versity, being named for Gardiner Colby, of Newton, Massa- 
chusetts, who had placed at the disposal of the trustees an 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 95 

endowment fund of S50,000 with which to estabhsh the in- 
stitution upon a stronger financial basis. In 1871 it was de- 
cided to admit women on equal terms with men. By request 
of the trustees in 1899 the name was changed to Colby College. 

Colby has produced some of the country's most successful 
educators and public men, while the early ideals of the insti- 
tution have also persisted and a greater number of ministers of 
the gospel is found among its graduates than of any other calling. 

At Lewiston is located Bates College, which was originally 
established in 1855 as the Maine State Seminary by the Free 
Baptists of Maine. A college organization was adopted in 
1863 and the state legislature changed the charter to conform 
to the change in organization. The new institution was named 
in honor of Benjamin Edward Bates, of Boston, who gave 
$25,000 toward its endowment at the time it was established 
as a college, and who subsequently made other and larger 
gifts. The Cobb Divinity School became a department of the 
college in 1870, but was later discontinued. 

Bates has been a coeducational institution since its in- 
ception. While its graduates are to be found in prominent 
positions in all walks of life, it is in the educational field that 
their activities have been most pronounced, and a large per- 
centage of its graduates is enrolled in the teaching profession. 

As a result of the act of Congress in 1862, by which public 
land grants were made to states for the purpose of establish- 
ing colleges of agriculture and mechanic arts, the state of 
Maine established the University of Maine at Orono in 1866. 
The place was selected by the board of trustees after there 
had been a great deal of discussion as to whether a separate 
college should be organized or whether the department of agri- 
culture should be connected with one of the colleges already in 
operation. The name University of Maine was not, however, 
adopted until 1897. Before that time it was known as the State 
College of Agriculture and the INlechanic Arts. The towns of 
Orono and Oldtown both contributed money for the pur- 
chase of the farm on which the University is located, and the 
state appropriated money for the erection of buildings. 



96 THE STORY OF MAINE 

The institution has had a steady growth until its student 
body numbers approximately twelve hundred, being nearly 
as many as in the other three colleges combined. It has re- 
ceived state appropriations from year to year both for buildings 
and maintenance, although it is not, strictly speaking, a state 
university, since the state does not definitely assume respon- 
sibility for its management. Neither does the state control its 
activities except as a part of the board of trustees is appointed 
by the governor. A movement is under way with the object 
of placing the college directly under state control, and at the 




A Part of the University of Maine Campus 

same time to have the state accept responsibility for its sup- 
port. 

In addition to the original courses in agriculture and me- 
chanic arts, the university has a diversified curriculum includ- 
ing the colleges of arts and sciences, pharmacy, law, and several 
branches of engineering. 

The Standard of Maine' s Schools. We have seen how 
much care has been taken and how many laws have been 
enacted to insure for every child in Maine the opportunity of 
receiving at least reasonably good school training. In every 
town and city of the state there are maintained at public ex- 
pense schools of elementary grade. In a large number of 
places there are also public high schools which are free to all 
who wish to take advantage of the more advanced work which 
they offer. The state normal schools give to those who desire 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 97 

to become trained teachers the chance to pursue still further 
study without great expense. All of these schools are kept in 
operation and are supported by public funds for the purpose 
of making sure that the best possible educational opportunity 
is given to those young people who are soon to become the 
workers and the leaders in the affairs of the towns and cities. 
In order that we may have clearly in mind the things which 
determine whether" or not our schools are furnishing this op- 
portunity to the fullest possible extent, let us for a moment 
consider some of the standards which should be met if we 
are to feel that everything possible is being done to make them 
perform the service which we have a right to expect of them. 

In the first place there must be the best kind of teacher 
in charge and at least thirty-six weeks of school in each year. 
The laws of Maine require that there shall be not less than 
thirty weeks in any town, but many already have the larger 
number. If any children are conveyed from home to school 
in the morning and back again at night, they should ride in a 
comfortable wagon or sleigh which is heated or otherwise pro- 
tected in cold weather and is covered when it storms. 'The 
driver is expected to see that no rough language is used on 
the way to or from school. If the school is in the country and 
children bring lunches for the noon hour, they should prepare, 
under the teacher's direction, at least one warm dish each 
day, such as soup or some other nourishing food. A very 
few cooking utensils and either the regular school stove or a 
small blue-flame heater is all that is necessary to serve soups, 
cocoa, or other simple dishes which add much to the noonday 
meal at school. There are many schools in the state where 
this is being done regularly. 

The schoolhouse should be located on high ground which 
is well drained so that no water will stand on the playground. 
There should be a large space around the building for play and 
for a school garden. Moreover, there should be trees or shrubs 
on the grounds, so placed that they will not interfere with their 
use for games. They are best placed around the outside edge 
of the grounds or clustered together with plenty of open space 



98 THE STORY OF MAINE 

between. These will add much to the attractiveness of the 
school. 

The building itself should be as good as or better than any 
other building in the community. It should be as attractive 
and well adapted to its purpose as the grange hall, the audi- 
torium, the clubhouse, or any residence, for this is the school 
home of the children, and it should be just as delightful and 
well equipped as any of them. It should be well built, well 
painted, if constructed of wood, and should have a flagpole, 
either attached to the building or on the school grounds from 
which the Stars and Stripes should be flying. It should have a 
good heating apparatus, so that the rooms will be at an even 
temperature in all parts. This can be accomplished by steam 
or hot-water heaters, by a good furnace, or by a jacketed stove 
in the room, but not by an ordinary stove without any means 
for distributing the heat to the farthest parts of the room.^ 
Some good system of ventilation is necessary in order that fresh 
air may come in and the foul air be extracted. Both good 
heating and good ventilation are essential to good health in 
schools. They mean fewer colds and less chance of many 
other diseases. 

The windows should be placed so that the light will come 
entirely from the left of the pupils or from the left and rear. 
By no means should there ever be a window in front of them, as 
this placing is the cause of much eye trouble. The windows 
should have a sufficient glass area to be equal to about one- 
fifth the area of the floor. They should be banked together 
with very little space between them. The room should not 
be wider than twice the distance from the floor to the top of 
the windows. Blackboards should be placed so that a good 
light will shine upon them and never be located between the 
windows. The walls should not be papered unless absolutely 
necessary, but should be tinted or painted with a flat paint of a 
light color so as not to reflect the light in a way to dazzle the 
eyes of pupils. On the walls should be some good, but not 

1 Plans and instructions for jacketing a stove can be secured by 
writing the State Department of Education at Augusta. 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 99 

necessarily expensive, framed pictures, and some good wall 
maps for the study of geography, including one of the state of 
Maine. The best blackboards are of slate, but a pulp board 
with slated surface is very serviceable for several years. 

The floor should be of hard wood and provide at least eighteen 
square feet of space for each pupil. The desks should be of the 
single type and so arranged that they can be adjusted easily 
for height of seat and top. They should be in enough different 
sizes to accommodate the pupils of varying size and age who 




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-i 






T: ' 


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f .»% 






'/■' 4 







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A Rural School Playground 



may be in the school. A teacher's desk and chair of good 
quality are also essential. 

There should be separate cloak rooms for boys and girls, 
warmed in the same way as the schoolroom. The toilets 
should be entirely separate, kept scrupulously clean and free 
from all marks or defacements. There is also required a place 
in which hands and face may be washed. The towels must 
be of paper or else a separate one brought by each pupil for his 
individual use. The drinking water should be from a source 
that is known to be free from pollution and supplied either 
by a bubbling fountain of the proper kind or from a covered 
tank with faucet from which pupils draw it into their cups. 
There must be a separate cup for each child, and it should 



100 THE STORY OF MAINE 

be frequently and thoroughly washed. It is now well recog- 
nized that the use of one drinking cup by several people is a 
cause for transmitting various diseases from one child to 
another. In the use of the bubbling fountain one should never 
press his lips down far enough to touch the outlet through which 
the water comes, as to do this is much the same as for all to use 
the same cup. Many people are very careless about this and 
seem to have little regard for their own safety or that of others. 

In the matter of equipment, there should also be a globe 
and a bookcase of reasonable size in which can be stored surplus 
textbooks. This will also be used for the school library, in 
which should be found a collection of the best literature for 
children, as well as many reference books for use in regular 
class work, and one or more good dictionaries. 

For physical training and recreation, there should be a suffi- 
cient amount of playground apparatus, such as slides, swings, 
teeters, and giant strides, while in the larger schools a gym- 
nasium is especially desirable for indoor games and exercises. 
A large room which can be used as a school auditorium is now 
being included in well-arranged buildings. Here the pupils 
come together for entertainment and group instruction by 
means of lectures and motion pictures, and the people make 
use of it as a community center for evening meetings and com- 
munity singing. Thus the school building and equipment are 
made to serve the entire community to the best advantage. 

Manual training shops and domestic science rooms with 
adequate eciuipment are also considered essential parts of a 
good school. The school should train the hand as well as the 
brain and help in making strong, vigorous men and women who 
know how to do things and how to take care of their bodies 
and their minds equally well. Directors of physical educa- 
tion to map out the work and to supervise the play of pupils, 
while the school nurse, the school i)hysician, and dentist care 
for their health, do much to make our best schools serve their 
real purpose in the life of the community. 

A school improvement league or some other similar organiza- 
tion is of great value in every school in order that pupils may 



THE PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MAINE 101 

feel a sense of partnership in working together to make better 
their school surroundings. Every league should include in 
its membership as many as possible of the parents and other 
adults who can then be interested in what the school is doing. ^ 
It must be borne in mind that a school is not for the pupils 
alone, but for every one within the limits of the district in which 
it is located, and it can make its full contribution to the present 
and future welfare of the community only when it is made a 
center of interest for the people, when they take a real pride 
in it as one of their most cherished institutions, and when 
they realize that, in order for the highest usefulness to f^ome 
out of it, they must put their heartiest cooperation into it. 
The good school is the very foundation of the good community. 

EXERCISE VII ' 

1. What position does Maine occupy in providing for the edu- 
cation of every child within its limits ? 

2. Who has control of the schools in each town and city? Who 
are the school officers in your town or city? 

3. What are some of the things over which the state superin- 
tendent has jurisdiction and what are some of his duties? Who does 
he have to help him ? Where is his office ? 

4. How is your superintendent of schools appointed? How are 
the members of your school committee elected? 

5. What are some of the duties of your superintendent? Of 
your committee? When does he take the school census or have it 
taken? Who is included in the census? What is the value of it? 
How many names are on the school census roll of your town ? 

6. About how much money is spent in Maine each year for schools ? 
Is it growing larger or smaller ? Why ? Find out through your teacher 
or superintendent how much the schools of Maine cost last year. 
Find out the same about the schools of your town or city. What was 
the money spent for and how much for each item ? 

7. What is unorganized territory? How are the schools in that 
territory managed, who manages them, and how much do they cost? 

1 Write the State Department of Education at Augusta for descrip- 
tive pamphlet containing outline of organization and work of the school 
improvement leagues. There are about 1500 now in operation. 



102 THE STORY OF MAINE 

How many such schools are there? Where are they located? How 
many children are in them ? 

8. Who has control of the school money in your town? Who 
approves the bills? Who decides whether or not children shall be 
carried to school? 

9. Who decides whether or not a new school building shall be 
erected or a new school established? 

10. How many high schools may a town or city have? What aid 
does the state give toward high schools ? When a town does not main- 
tain a high school, what provision is it required to make for its pupils 
of high school grade ? 

11. Between what ages docs the law require children to attend 
school? How old must children be before they can work in a mill 
or factory during vacations? During school time? What grade 
must they have completed before they can work? 

12. How much money does the state pay to towns each year for 
elementary schools? Where does it get the money? How much 
does your town get from the state? For what purposes can it be 
used? 

13. How many state normal schools are there and where are they? 
What are they for? What .and where is the Madawaska Training 
School? 

14. How many schools or towns have courses in manual training, 
domestic science, or agriculture? Do any schools in your town or 
city have such courses ? 

15. How many teachers in Maine have pensions? How long 
must a teacher have served before she can receive a pension ? 

16. How manj^ academies or schools of that kind are there in 
Maine ? Why are there fewer now than in earlier days ? Wliat aid do 
academies receive from the state ? Is there one in your town ? How 
does it differ from a high school ? 

17. How many colleges are there in Maine? Wliat are their names 
and where are they located? Where is the University of Maine? 
What special courses does it offer? 

18. Where is the Maine Medical School? With what college is 
it connected? 

Note to Teachers. The annual report of the State Superintend- 
ent of Schools will give you complete statistical information about 
Maine schools. From the principal of each normal school and the 
president of each college can be obtained catalogs which will tell more 
about these institutions. 



CHAPTER VIII 

SOME OF MAINE'S NOTED MEN AND WOMEN 

A State of Celebrities. No Maine man has ever been Presi- 
dent of the United States, but, aside from this high office, 
there are few which have not at one time or another in the na- 
tion's history been held by some one from the Pine Tree State. 
This statement is not, of course, to l)e regarded as meaning 
that Maine men have held all the important offices which now 
exist, but it is nevertheless true that few states have had 
larger influence in national affairs. Maine cannot claim all 
of these men by birth, but it is fair to say that other states 
have gained fully as many men and women of renown who 
were born in Maine as it has added to its list who were born 
elsewhere. The claim is only on those who have made Maine 
their home and who have lived in the state for the greater part 
of their lives, or at least sufficiently long to become strongly 
identified with Maine's interests. The list includes eminent 
statesmen, great jurists, one of the best known and most loved 
of American poets, strong military leaders, musicians of world- 
wide renown, novelists and story writers, inventors of wonder- 
ful genius, and professional men of distinction in their several 
fields of work. It is upon the men and women who have made 
and who will make themselves felt in the great and funda- 
mental relations of life that the state must depend for its posi- 
tion of eminence, rather than upon its created wealth or natural 
resources. 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Probably there is no poet 
whose works are dearer to the hearts of the American people 
than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was born in Port- 

103 



104 THE STORY OF MAINE 

land, February 27, 1807, and was educated at Bowdoin. 
Shortly after his graduation he was made professor of modern 
languages at that college and later a professor in Harvard 
University. He was a great lover of children, and from the 
many beautiful poems of childhood which he wrote he has 
become known as the '' children's poet." Some of his best 
known poems are A Psalm of Life, The Village Blacksmith, 
The Children's Hour, The Building of the Ship, Evangeline, 
Hiawatha, and Paul Revere' s Ride. His fame spread through- 
out the world, and a memorial bust was placed in the Poets' 
Corner of Westminster Abbey in England in 1884. Long- 
fellow died on March 24, 1882. The Wadsworth-Longfellow 
house on Congress Street, Portland, is preserved as a fitting 
memorial to the great poet of Maine. 

James G. Blaine. Pennsylvania was the native state of 
James G. Blaine, he having been born at West Brownsville 
in 1830, but he came to Maine when he was twenty-four years 
of age and was a resident of the state for the remainder of his 
life. He made his home in Augusta, where he first located 
in Maine as editor of the Kennehec Journal. His political 
career began almost immediately. He was elected to the state 
legislature for four years beginning with 1857, and in 1862 
was elected to Congress where he was made Secretary of State. 
In 1884 came the crowning honor of his brilliant career when 
he was nominated hy the Republicans as their candidate for 
President. His defeat by Grover Cleveland was a heavy blow 
to the Maine statesman, from which he never quite recovered, 
although he continued to be active in political life and was 
again made Secretary of State by President Harrison in 1889. 
From this position he resigned in 1802 and lived only until 
January 27, 1893. His home in Augusta has recently been 
presented to the state and has been remodeled as a Governor's 
Mansion. 

William P. Fessenden. Bosc wen. New Hampshire, was 
the birthplace of William P. Fessenden on October 16, 1806. 
He was, however, educated at Bowdoin College, from which he 
was graduated in 1823. After that time he was constantly a 



SOME OF MAINE'S NOTED MEN AND WOMEN 105 

resident of Maine and an ardent champion of her interests. 
After serving in the state legislature for several terms he was 
elected to Congress in 1840 where he served one term in the 
lower house. In 1854 he was elected to the Senate and be- 
came prominent as an antislavery leader in that body. Presi- 
dent Lincoln regarded him as one of the most able men in public 
life. He was a notable financier and his ability in this direc- 
tion, as well as his clear understanding of the problems of na- 
tional credit, caused him to be made Secretary of the Treasury 
in those crucial days of financial stress just at the close of the 
Civil War. Later, he again became a member of the Senate 
and was made chairman of the great finance committee. He 
died in Portland, September 8, 1869. 

Hannibal Hamlin. As Blaine was the only Maine man to 
receive a nomination for President, so was Hannibal Hamlin 
the only man from our state who ever occupied the office of 
Vice-President. He was elected in 1860 and served with Lin- 
coln during his first term. Hamlin was born in Paris, Maine, 
in 1809. He began his political career in 1836 as a member of 
the state legislature, and went to Congress to serve in both 
House and Senate until 1856, when he returned to become 
governor of his native state for four years preceding his elec- 
tion to the vice-presidency. He was again in the Senate from 
1869 to 1881, when he was appointed minister to Spain, where 
he remained for two years. He then retired to private life 
and lived at his home in Bangor until his death in 1891. 

Commodore Edward Preble. Maine has occupied an en- 
viable position as a shipbuilding state and has furnished many a 
man to our country's seafaring history, both in its commerce 
and in its naval activities. None is better known than Com- 
modore Edward Preble, who was born in Portland, August 15, 
1761. He entered the navy at an early age and was rapidly 
promoted until he was given command of the expedition sent 
to punish the Barbary States of Africa for their pirating inter- 
ference with our shipping. So well did he perform his mission 
that a vote of thanks was accorded him by Congress. He was 
offered the position of Secretary of the Navy by President 



106 THE STORY OF MAINE 

Jefferson, but was not able to accept on account of failing 
health. 

General Henry Kjiox. Although General Knox was neither 
a native of Maine nor one who served the state in public life, 
yet his long residence here has made him regarded almost as 
one of Maine's" own sons. He was a prominent patriot and a 
close friend of Washington, serving through the Revolution 
as one of our great military leaders. He took an active part 
in many of the battles of that war. He was appointed as the 
first Secretary of War, and held that cabinet portfolio for nine 
years, when he retired to the home estate of his wife in Thomas- 
ton, Maine. He erected a pretentious home there, which was 
one of the prominent landmarks of that town, and lived there 
until his death in 1806. 

Nelson Dingley, Jr. While it is on account of his political 
career that Nelson Dingley, Jr., was most widely known, yet 
he was also a prominent journalist. He was born in Durham, 
Maine, on February 15, 1832, graduated from Dartmouth 
College in 1855, and was admitted to the bar the following year, 
although he never took up the practice of law. He became 
editor and proprietor of the Lewiston Journal and made it one 
of the most influential publications of his native state. This 
position he held for more than twenty years. In 1862 he be- 
came a member of the Maine legislature and served several 
terms. He was elected governor in 1874 and to Congress 
in 1881, continuing as a member of that body for eighteen 
years until his death in 1899. He was an effective speaker and 
writer, and achieved such a position of leadership in Congress 
that he was made chairman of the powerful Ways and Means 
Committee which framed the tariff measure bearing his name 
and embodying largely his ideas on the subject of a high rate 
of protection for home industries. 

The Washbums. While Maine can claim Elihu B. Wash- 
burn only by birth, education, and a brief period of employment 
as a newspaper man, yet his ability was such that it would no 
doubt have received equal recognition had he continued as a 
resident of his native state. He was born in Livermore in 1816, 



SOME OF MAINE'S NOTED MEN AND WOMEN 107 

studied law at Kent's Hill and Hallowell, and in 1840 moved to 
Illinois, from which state he went to Congress and served for a 
long period of years. He was appointed Secretary of State by 
President Grant and later became minister to France. An 
older brother, Israel Washburn, was Governpr of Maine dur- 
ing the trying period of the Civil War and later represented 
the state in Congress. Still another brother, also born in 
Livermore, was at the same time representing in Congress a 
district of Wyoming, to which state he had moved from Maine. 

Charles F. Browne. Few, if any, of America's humorists 
have attained the popularity of Artemus Ward, -whose real name 
was Charles F. Browne, born in Waterford, Maine, in 1834. 
He began life in newspaper work by setting type for a Boston 
publication and by writing for various journals. Later he 
became a much sought-after lecturer. He also wrote several 
books based upon his travels in this country and abroad. All 
of these were in a humorous vein and were widely read in Eng- 
land, as well as in America. 

Neal Dow. To have been the father of prohibition in these 
days when the movement has swept the nation after years of 
struggle is a distinction which makes Neal Dow a worthy 
recipient of the highest honors at the hands of the people of his 
own state. He was born in Portland, March 20, 1804, and 
served in the Maine legislature, where he drafted the first 
prohibitory law passed in 1851. Later he served with credit 
as an officer in one of Maine's Civil War regiments. After 
the war he traveled extensively, and became widely known as 
a lecturer and temperance reformer. He was the Prohibition 
party's candidate for President in 1880. He died October 

2, 1897. 

Thomas B. Reed. Another of Maine's distinguished states- 
men was Thomas Brackett Reed, born in Portland in 1839. 
He graduated from Bowdoin in 1860 and took up the study 
and practice of law. He served in the state legislature after 
having been paymaster in the navy for a year during the Civil 
War, and in 1876 was elected to Congress, of which body he 
was a member for twenty-two consecutive years. He was 



108 THE STORY OF MAINE 

chosen speaker of the House at three different times and gained 
the title of " Czar Reed " from the nature of some of his rul- 
ings, which were, however, upheld by the Supreme Court. 
He was a man of indomitable will and commanding personality, 
and his leadership in Congress for so long a period of years 
did much to place Maine in the front rank as a state from which 
great statesmen came. Mr. Reed died in 1902. 

Melville W. Fuller. One of the most distinguished jurists 
America has ever produced was born in Augusta, Maine, in 
1833. It was Melville W. Fuller who brought to our state so 
high a distinction. He was a resident of Maine for twenty- 
three years, receiving his collegiate education at Bowdoin and 
completing his legal training at Harvard. He took up the 
practice of law in 1855 ; also did some newspaper work in 
Augusta, and served on the city council and as city attorney. 
Moving to Chicago he soon attracted attention by his legal 
ability and was elected to the Illinois legislature in 1863. 
President Cleveland appointed him Chief Justice of the Su- 
preme Court in 1888, which high position he held until his death 
in 1910. In 1899 he was one of the arbitrators in the con- 
troversy between Venezuela and England. 

Lillian Nordica. To the little town of Farmington belongs 
the honor of having been the birthplace of the great American 
soprano, Lillian Norton, in 1859. She studied music in this 
country and later in Milan, Italy, making her first public 
operatic appearance in that country. She spent a consider- 
able part of her life abroad, becoming famous under the name 
of Lillian Nordica as a singer of wonderful soprano voice and 
ability to render the most difficult dramatic and vocal parts 
of Wagner opera. Her renown spread to this country and 
when she returned to her native land in 1895, she was received 
at once as the leading artist of her day. Her popularity was 
probably greater than that of any other American singer. She 
died in 1914. 

William P. Frye. Maine's influence upon national affairs 
of government has been partly the result of having as her 
representatives at Washington some very able men, and partly 



SOME OF MAINE.'S NOTED MEN AND WOMEN 109 

because her policy has been to continue in service for long 
periods men who have proved their ability. This policy is 
well illustrated in the career of William P. Frye, who repre- 
sented the state in Congress for forty years, ten years of which 
were in the lower house and thirty in the Senate. He was 
born in Lewiston in 1831, graduated from Bowdoin College in 
1850, and entered the profession of law. He was a member 
of the state legislature and mayor of his home city and served 
as attorney-general of the state for two years before being 
first elected to Congress in 1871. In 1898 he was one of the 
commissioners to negotiate the treaty of peace with Spain. 
He became president pro tempore of the Senate in 1901. His 
long experience and intimate knowledge of governmental activi- 
ties, coupled with his sound judgment, made his advice of great 
value, and, as a result, he was held in highest esteem alike 
by his political friends and enemies. His death occurred in 
1911. 

The Maxims. The invention of the machine gun is ac- 
knowledged of great importance in its effect upon modern 
warfare. It was Hiram S. Maxim, born in Sangerville, Maine, 
in 1840, who developed the first gun of this kind and later did 
much to perfect it. He also invented searchlights. When 
he was about forty years of age he moved to England and made 
that country his home. He was made a knight by Queen 
Victoria. 

His brother, Hudson Maxim, born at Orneville in 1853, 
was also an inventor, and is credited with the distinction of 
having been the first to make smokeless powder and some of 
the most powerful of the high explosives. 

Dorothea Dix. It is only within comparatively few years 
that really humane treatment has been accorded to the un- 
fortunate insane. The name of Dorothea Dix is inseparably 
connected with the reform which entirely changed the atti- 
tude of people toward those who require special care on ac- 
count of the loss of their reason. She was born in Hampden, 
Maine, in 1802, and after a number of years spent in teaching, 
she took up the cause of the insane and finally succeeded in 



110 THE STORY OF MAINE 

bringing about great changes for their benefit. She died 
in 1887. 

Hugh McCuUoch. After the Civil War the financial condi- 
tion of the country was far from satisfactory. It required 
exceptionally able financiers to keep our credit upon a sound 
basis. Hugh McCulloch, as Secretary of the Treasury of the 
United States, had much to do with the management of the 
country's financial policy at that time. He was born in Kenne- 
bunk, Maine, in 1808, moved to Indiana after completing his 
schooling, and made a marked success as a banker. After 
leaving his position as head of the treasury department, he en- 
gaged in the banking business in London for some years and 
became widely known in that way. He returned to this coun- 
try and remained until his death in 1895. 

" Bill Nye." Maine can claim Edgar Wilson Nye only 
from the fact that he was born in Shirley in 1850. He lived 
in Maine for but a short time before his parents moved west, 
whence he never returned to make Maine his home. He is 
noted as a lecturer, humorist, and traveler. Both his lectures 
and his books contained a very rich vein of humor. 

Elijah Kellogg. One of the best known writers which Maine 
has produced is Elijah Kellogg, born in Portland in 1813. 
While he wrote many articles and numerous books, it was as a 
writer for boys that he really became famous. Many of the 
scenes of his books are laid in Maine, especially on the coast, 
and his portrayal of life there is most charming in its sim- 
plicity and the strength of its interpretation. 

Robert E. Peary. While we cannot claim the honor of being 
the first to reach the North Pole for a man who was actually 
born in Maine, yet Robert E. Peary, who accomplished that 
feat on April 6, 1909, was to all intents a Maine man, being 
born in Pennsylvania in 1856, but coming to Maine when only 
three years of age. He made his home in or near Portland 
for most of the remainder of his life when he was not engaged 
on one of his eight Arctic trips. After returning from his con- 
quest of the pole, he retired to Eagle Island in Casco Bay and 
remained there the greater part of the time until his death. 



SOME OF MAINE'S NOTED MEN AND WOMEN 111 

The ship, Roosevelt, in which he made his last two voyages, was 
built in Bucksport, and several Maine men were among the 
crew. Admiral Peary died on February 20, 1920. 

Elijah P. Lovejoy. The first martyr to the cause of abolition 
of slavery in the United States was a Maine man, Elijah P. 
Lovejoy, born in Albion in 1802. He was graduated from 
Colby College in 1822, moved west, and edited a paper in 
Alton, Illinois, which was extremely bitter in its opposition to 
slavery. This made Lovejoy very unpopular with numbers of 
those who gave support to the slave owners, and his establish- 
ment was three times attacked by mobs. The third time, on 
November 7, 1837, the rioters succeeded in reaching Lovejoy and 
he was shot as he strove to save from destruction the press used 
in printing his paper. His untimely death had a far-reaching 
effect and turned many a strong supporter to the anti-slavery 
cause, including Wendell Phillips of Boston. A monument to 
the memory of Lovejoy was later erected in Alton. 

Others. The list of Maine men and women who have at- 
tained more than state-wide prominence in their several lines 
of work could be lengthened indefinitely. The foregoing 
list, however, is sufficiently long to serve the purpose of show- 
ing that Maine has contributed her share of those upon the 
roll of our country's most famous personages. 

EXERCISE VIII 

1. Who is Maine's most famous poet? What are some of his best 
known poems? 

2. What Maine man was nominated for President? 

3. What Maine man was Vice-President? 

4. Who was the first great leader of the prohibition movement 
in Maine and the United States ? 

5. What Maine man was speaker of the national House of Repre- 
sentatives ? , 

6. What Maine man was Chief Justice of the United States Su- 
preme Court? 

7. What Maine woman was a great leader in reform work for the 
benefit of the insane ? 



112 THE STORY OF MAINE 

8. Why are we particularly interested in Peary, who discovered 
the North Pole? 

9. Who was the first martyr to the cause of abolition of slavery 
in the United States? What great advocate of abohtion was won to 
the cause by his death? 

10. Why are men and women of greater value to a state than all 
its natural resources ? 

11. Who are the men and women of your town or city who have at- 
tained more than usual prominence in public life or in some special 
line of work? Make a list of them and find out all you can about 
their public services. 



PART II 
MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

CHAPTER I 

GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 

Location. Maine is located in the extreme northeastern 
corner of the United States. It is nearly half surrounded by- 
two provinces of the Dominion of Canada which border it on 
the west, north, and east, while New Hampshire forms the 
remainder of its western boundary, and the Atlantic Ocean 
bounds it on the south. No other state in the whole country 
has so small a part of its border line touching another state. 
As we look at a map of the United States it at first appears that 
Maine must extend farther north than any other state, but 
this is not true. A considerable portion of the states of Minne- 
sota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington extend 
farther north than the most northern extremity of Maine. 

Size. The area of Maine is 33,040 square miles, which makes 
it only 344 square miles smaller than all the remainder of 
New England taken together. It is about the same size as 
South Carolina, nearly thirty times as large as Rhode Island, 
and only about one-eighth as large as Texas. Thirty-seven 
states are larger than Maine and ten are smaller. About 
one-tenth of the whole area, or 3145 square miles, is water. 
Mame's greatest length is 303 miles and its greatest width 
215 miles. 

The coast line is exceedingly irregular, having thousands of 
indentations, many of which afford fine harbors and have 
contributed much to the position which the state has held in 
the world of commerce and shipbuilding. In a straight line, 

113 



114 



MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 



the distance from Kittery to Eastport is about 250 miles, but 
the length of the coast line between those two points is more 
than ten times as great if the irregularities are followed. As 
far as Portland these are not so pronounced, and the splendid 
beaches at York, Kennebunk, and Old Orchard are famous 
the country over, but east of Portland, the shore becomes 
more rugged and broken. Headlands, promontories, and 
rocky cliffs meet the eye of the traveler, while here and there a 




A Rocky Ledge on a Maine Inlet 



sandy beach presents itself. Islands dot the water on every 
hand, varying in size from that scarcely offering space for one 
of the many lighthouses to that which includes several towns. 
Political Divisions. Maine has sixteen counties. By far 
the largest is Aroostook with an area of 6408 square miles, in 
itself three times as large as the state of Delaware and not far 
from equaling New Jersey. The smallest county is Sagadahoc, 
whose area is 259 square miles. The names of the counties 
are as follows : Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Frank- 
lin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 115 

Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, Washington, and 
York. 

There are 519 towns, cities, and organized plantations. Of 
these there are twenty which are chartered as cities under the 
provisions of special acts of the legislature. They are Auburn, 
Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Brewer, Calais, 
Eastport, Ellsworth, Gardiner, Hallowell, Lewiston, Oldtown, 
Portland, Rockland, Saco, South Portland, Waterville, and 
Westbrook. The number of incorporated towns is 435, while 
there are 64 plantations. 

Wild Land Townships. About half the total area of the state 
is wild land and has no local government. This territory is di- 
vided into units of varying size and shape, but corresponding in 
general to the towns. These are known as unorganized town- 
ships. They are for the most part either entirely uninhabited, 
except temporarily by lumber operators and sportsmen, or are 
very sparsely settled. A few have a considerable number of 
permanent residents engaged in agriculture, lumber manu- 
facturing, the summer hotel business, or allied activities. Most 
of them are located in the northern and northwestern part of 
the state, but some are found in ten of the sixteen counties. 
York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Waldo, and 
Sagadahoc are the only counties not having wild land town- 
ships within their limits. 

Many of the unorganized townships have names, frequently 
of unique and suggestive significance, such as Indian Purchase, 
Misery, Long A, and Jerusalem, but the majority are desig- 
nated only by number, range, and letter. The meaning of these 
designations requires some explanation. In the northern part 
of the state the territory was surveyed into square sections with 
lines running north and south six miles apart and called range 
lines, the north and south section nearest the eastern border 
of the state being the first range, the next one west, the second 
range, and so on. East and west lines were also run six miles 
apart, and the township in each range nearest the southern 
line of the survey was numbered one, the next one north of it, 
two, and so on to the extreme northern limits. The letters 



116 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

W.E.L.S. were adopted to distinguish and locate the town- 
ships included in this survey and 16 R. 4 W.E.L.S., for example, 
designates township 16 in the fourth range West of the East 
Line of the State. Those located just south of Moosehead 
Lake on both sides of the Kennebec are included in the area 
of Bingham's Kennebec Purchase. Hence we have the desig- 
nations 1 R. 2 E.K.R.B.K.P. and 2 R. 3 W.K.R.B.K.P., in- 
dicating that the township is either east or west of the river 
and within that purchase. Similarly, the letters W.B.K.P. 
and N.B.K.P. are used to indicate that the tracts are located 
either west or north of those purchase limits. A similar method 
is used in designating the townships in several other sections, 
but in Hancock and Washington counties a slightly different 
arrangement is in effect, the territory being divided into three 
large tracts known as the North, South, and Middle Divisions 
in Hancock and the North, East, and Middle Divisions in 
Washington. In addition to those townships to which number 
and range titles are given, there are, in each county, some which 
are known by name only as strips, gores, grants, and other titles. 
Surface. For the most part, Maine's surface may be classed 
as rolling, but its area includes within it lofty mountain peaks 
and almost level sand}^ barrens, extensive marshes and the 
best of alluvial tillage soil, bottom lands of solid blue clay and 
upland stretches of warm, early producing loam and gravel. 
Much of the soil is well adapted for a diversity of farm crops, 
but there are also tremendous tracts much too rough ever to 
be reclaimed for agricultural purposes. The western part of 
the state is, on the whole, more rugged than any other. Here 
the foothills of the White Mountains of New Hampshire extend 
far within Maine territory. Farther north the projections of 
the Appalachian chain rise higher with Mt. Katahdin as the 
most elevated peak, while all about it tower others of less 
majestic proportions. With the exception of Mt. Washing- 
ton in New Hampshire, Katahdin is the highest peak in New 
England, being 5273 feet above sea level. There are only 
three higher mountains east of Colorado. Among these 
mountains rise all the great river systems of the state. On 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 117 

every hand are to be seen evidences 'of the great glaciers which 
covered Maine with a huge sheet of ice in prehistoric times. 
The hills are rounded, outcropping ledges are grooved, great 
mounds of rock and gravel stretch for miles in a northeasterly- 
direction to mark where the glacial moraines were left as the 
ice-sheet receded, and practically the entire surface soil is filled 
with stones and boulders which the ice-rivers dropped upon 
the land. 

Rivers and Lakes. In the southern half of the state there 
are three great river systems, the Androscoggin, Kennebec, 
and Penobscot. These all flow south into the Atlantic Ocean. 
Together with the Saco, which is much smaller, the Andro- 
scoggin drains the whole western section bordering New Hamp- 
shire. It rises in the great chain of lakes known as the Range- 
leys, flows through New Hampshire for a considerable distance, 
reenters Maine, and finally joins the Kennebec at Merry- 
meeting Bay near Brunswick. The Kennebec, with its prin- 
cipal tributaries, the Sabasticook, Sandy, and Dead rivers, 
drains the central section, rising in Moosehead Lake, and form- 
ing the outlet of our largest body of fresh water. It is navi- 
gable as far as Augusta, a distance of about thirty-five miles. 
The Penobscot forms by far the largest system, draining, with 
its branches, nearly one quarter of the state's surface. The 
principal tributaries of the main river are the Mattawam- 
keag and the Piscataquis, but at a distance of nearly one hun- 
dred miles from its mouth, it divides into the east and west 
branches, both of which extend many miles into the dense 
forests of the north central part of the state, flowing through a 
wonderful chain of lakes. At one point near the extreme 
northern end of Moosehead Lake the waters of the Kennebec 
and of the west branch of the Penobscot come within less than 
three miles of each other. Bangor is the head of navigation on 
the Penobscot, and this is about twenty miles from the point 
where the river enters the bay of the same name. Farther 
east the Union and Machias rivers are of considerable size and 
importance. The St. Croix forms. the state's eastern boundary 
north from the ocean, nearly one-half the entire distance. 



118 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

All of these rivers furnish magnificent water power sites and 
extensive developments have been made, but there still re- 
mains a tremendous reserve which has not yet been utilized. 
Huge storage reservoirs have been made by constructing dams 
at various points near the headwaters of all three of the great 
rivers above mentioned. These dams serve two very important 
purposes. The first is the conservation of the water supply 
so that it may insure the amount needed to float, even in case 
of drought, the millions of feet of logs which are annually cut 
and piled on the banks of the lakes and streams to go down 
to the pulp, paper, and lumber mills located farther toward 
the ocean. The second purpose is the regulation of the flow 
of water which provides the power by which these mills and 
numerous others are operated. A little later we shall see how 
great are the resources represented by the power generated 
by the rivers and streams as they pass through the more densely 
populated section of the state where the great mills and factories 
are located. 

All of the northern section of the state is drained by the 
St. John River and its principal tributaries, the Aroostook, the 
Fish, and the AUagash. The St. John forms more than two- 
thirds of Maine's northern boundary, and one of its other 
branches, the St. Francis, forms the remainder. For practically 
the whole distance for which it forms the dividing line between 
Maine and Canada, the St. John is a broad, rather shallow 
stream, but that part nearer its source, as it drops entirel}^ into 
Maine territory for nearly one hundred miles, is swift and 
tumultuous. Numerous rapids and falls mark its course 
throughout its tortuous descent to its junction with the St. 
Francis. The same is true of both the Allagash and the Aroos- 
took. The latter has already been largely harnessed to produce 
power for the running of mills and generating electricity, but 
the tremendous power possibilities of the St. John and the 
Allagash have never been developed. 

These rivers, flowing as they do in a northerly direction, 
while all the others of importance flow south, indicate a height 
of land between them dividing the state from east to west. 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 



119 




120 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

This divide is highest at the western end and measurements 
show that the western border is about 1400 feet higher than the 
eastern. 

Few, if any, states can equal Maine in variety and beauty 
of scenery. Wherever one goes he finds wonderful lakes rang- 
ing in size from those little ponds of a few acres in extent to 
magnificent Moosehead with its area of approximately one 
hundred square miles. Others which are noted the country 
over are the Rangeleys, Chesuncook, and Sebago, while hun- 
dreds of others of smaller size, but no less attractive, are scat- 
tered throughout the length and breadth of the state. The 
total number is generally placed at more than 1600. In many 
instances we find them nestled among the hills and mountains 
so closely that a score or more may be counted from the vantage 
point of a single elevation. To Maine has frequently been 
applied the name of " the Switzerland of America " on account 
of the superb panorama presented by the combination of 
lakes and mountains. Particularly may this be said of Moose- 
head and the Katahdin region, but it is almost equally true of 
the Rangeleys and in a less degree only of dozens of other lo- 
calities. 

When the project which has for its purpose the setting 
off as a national park reservation of an extensive tract to in- 
clude Mt. Katahdin becomes a reality, thousands of people 
who have not had the opportunity to do so before, because 
of its difficulty of access, will come to marvel at the grandeur 
of that rugged eminence. Well-built roads will then make it 
comparatively easy to reach where now only those who are 
willing to undergo considerable physical hardship are able to 
penetrate into the wilds in the midst of which it is located. 
Even with the present difficulties of a long, hard tramp after a 
trip by canoe to the nearest point accessible in that manner, 
and with no housing accommodations of satisfactory kind 
available, the number of visitors to this region is increasing 
year by year. The opening of roads and reasonably com- 
fortable camps or hotels would make it a Mecca for tourists, 
bringing to Maine a still greater tide of summer visitors than 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 121 

already has earned it the reputation of being the nation's 
playground. 

Transportation. It was by means of boats that the first 
settlers reached Maine, coming on the great ocean highway, 
skirting the coast for a harbor and landing place. Aside from 
this method of transportation there was no way of getting about 
from place to place unless one went on foot through the track- 
less wilderness. The Indians had no use for roads, as they al- 
ways traveled either on foot or by canoe, using the rivers and 
lakes as their only highways. For some years it was not nec- 
essary that the white settlers should have any more adequate 
means of communication than had been developed by the 
Indians, since each little. colony was practically self-contained 
and its chief interests were within its own body of members. 
Then, too, the settlements were all either on the coast or only 
short distances up some of the rivers, so that the water route 
was' open to every one who desired to go from one place to 
another. 

As time went on and the number of settlements increased, 

the desire for overland conveyance became stronger, and roads 

were cut through the forests, so that travel on horseback in 

summer and by crude horse-drawn sleds in winter was 

possible. Very gradually the roads were extended and 

improved and two-wheel carts came into common use, but 

horseback riding continued to be the favorite mode of travel 

for both men and women for many years. In fact, it was 

not until almost the beginning of the nineteenth century that 

four-wheel carriages made their appearance to any great extent, 

except in the village streets. This was largely due to the fact 

that roads were so crudely built that it was dangerous as well 

as uncomfortable for the occupants of any except the most 

stoutly constructed vehicles to attempt to traverse them. The 

two-wheel wagons were much easier to manage under such 

conditions and overland freight was carried in them. 

We find record of mail being taken by stagecoach between 
Boston and Portland as early as 1787, but not on regular sched- 
ule. Some fifteen years later a regular stage route was es- 



122 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

tablished from Boston as far as Augusta. The trip between 
the two places occupied three days, and a journey of that 
distance was then regarded as much more of an event than a 
railway journey across the continent is considered to-day. 
During the next quarter century, while settlements were con- 
stantly being pushed farther and farther inland, the highways 
were given more attention and stage communication was 
established with nearly every section of the state, until it was 
well served for both the delivery of mail and the conveyance 
of passengers. 

There was something of romantic interest about the old 
stagecoach that never has been or will be attained by any 
other means of transportation. As it rattled and swaj^ed along 
on its way from town to town, carrying its burden of mail, 
freight, and passengers, it brought with it the news of the 
day, the message of good cheer or misfortune, and its arrival 
was eagerly awaited. To young and old alike it had an 
intense interest, and the driver, knowing as he did the people 
on all sides and much about their business, was looked upon 
as very much a man of the world, and one whose favor was 
worth cultivating. Many a group of attentive listeners did 
he gather about him each night at the tavern, when, at the 
end of his day's journey, he proceeded to unfold the tale of 
his experiences and the doings of those along his route. 

To-day, as we hurry about from place to place in swift trains, 
electric cars, or automobiles, it is a bit difficult for us to under- 
stand how people lived so long without these conveniences 
of travel. We are inclined to find fault at little delays and 
poor service, but had we been living a hundred years ago the 
ways in which we are able to get about at the present time 
would have been almost unbelievable. With thousands of 
automobiles flashing along our highways and crowding our 
city streets, we still complain of lack of good roads and are 
expending millions of dollars for their improvement. What 
a contrast when we stop to think of conditions when our fore- 
fathers were just beginning to establish communication with 
the outside world ! The telephone, the telegraph, the rail- 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 123 

road, the electric car, the automobile, and hundreds of other 
modern conveniences that we give scarcely a thought and take 
as matters of course were then not even dreamed of. And 
yet people lived and worked and were happy just as we are 
to-day, and it is likely that the children of a hundred years 
in the future will look back upon us as a slow-going people 
who knew little about the advances of modern civilization ! 

Not until 1842 was there a railroad built in Maine to con- 
nect with an outside route. This road ran between Portland 
and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the terminus of the 
road from Boston had been located up to that time. We can 
well imagine how much it meant to the people of southern 
Maine to know that at last there was a connecting transporta- 
tion link which extended into their own state. Before that 
time there had been short pieces of railroad in Maine, but 
they were only for local use and principally for the carrying 
of lumber for very short distances. 

The opening of the railroad between Portland and Ports- 
mouth was followed by the building of the Androscoggin and 
Kennebec from Portland to Lewiston and thence to Water- 
ville in 1849, and the Kennebec and Portland from the latter 
city to Bath in the same year. In 1852 the road was extended 
to Augusta, and to Waterville three years later. The same 
year saw the opening of the road between Waterville and 
Bangor. Thus we see that it was not until after the middle 
of the last century that Maine was in any considerable de- 
gree served by railroad transportation facilities. The equip- 
ment in those days was exceedingly crude. Locomotives 
used wood for fuel and were of diminutive size compared with 
the great engines to which we are accustomed at the present 
time. 

We have not space to record the details of railroad develop- 
ment in the state during the last fifty years. It is sufficient 
to say that, after the first roads were opened, there was a con- 
stant increase in mileage, until now we have a network of rails 
connecting every part of the state with the outside world. 
So great was the interest of towns in securing the advantages 



124 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

of this rail connection, that many of them contributed liberally 
in the financing of the projects. The roads were, for the most 
part, constructed by local companies which have been con- 
solidated into two principal systems, the Maine Central and 
the Bangor and Aroostook, while two others, the Grand Trunk 
and the Canadian Pacific, are owned and operated by the Do- 
minion of Canada, and either pass through Maine on the way 
to Canadian seaports or come into Maine for a water outlet. 

The Maine Central operates from Portland as its southern 
termiims, and its main lines run by way of Augusta and Lewis- 
ton to Waterville and thence to Bangor and to Vanceboro on 
the Canadian border, extending from there to St. John, New 
Brunswick. The principal branch lines run from Brunswick 
to Rockland, from Danville Junction to Poland Springs and 
Rumford, from Leeds Junction to Farmington, from Oak- 
land to Moosehead Lake, from Bangor to Bar Harbor and 
through Washington County to Calais and Princeton, and 
from Bangor to Bucksport. Still other branches operate be- 
tween Burnham and Belfast, from Pittsfield to Hartland, 
from Newport to Dover, and from Rumford to the Rangeley 
Lakes, while still another, somewhat to the south, goes by way 
of Sebago Lake and Fryeburg, on the New Hampshire border, 
through the White Mountains of that state and extends to 
St. Johnsbury, Vermont. 

The Bangor and Aroostook system opens up all the vast 
lumber resources and the fertile agricultural lands of northern 
Maine. Bangor is its center of operation. It first acquired 
the old Bangor and Piscataquis, which had been pushed through 
Milo, Dover, and Foxcroft to Greenville on Moosehead Lake 
in 1884. Later the road was extended via Brownville and 
Island Falls to Houlton, reaching that point in 1894. Other 
extensions were gradually made which connected all the prin- 
cipal towns of Aroostook County, the last lines built being those 
along the St. John River from Van Buren west to Fort Kent 
and St. Francis, and from Presque Isle to Ashland, both of which 
were completed in 1910. A water outlet was made possible 
in 1905 by the construction of a branch from Northern Maine 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 125 

Junction near Bangor, to Searsport and Stockton Springs on the 
coast, where a good harbor is available. 

The Boston and Maine serves that part of the state south of 
Portland. The Grand Trunk operates from Portland west, via 
South Paris and Bethel, with a branch line to Lewiston. The 
Canadian Pacific crosses the state about midway of its northern 
and southern extremities, passing through Jackman, skirting 
the southern shore of Moosehead Lake, and going by way of 
Greenville to Mattawamkeag. From that point to Vance- 
boro it uses the tracks of the Maine Central. Short branches 
are also operated on the eastern border of Aroostook County. 

Therp are also several narrow-gauge roads in the state. One 
runs from Wiscasset to Albion along the Sheepscot River ; 
another in northern Franklin County from Farmington to 
Rangeley and from Strong to Kingfield and Bigelow ; still 
other short lines connect Bridgton with the Maine Central and 
Monson with the Bangor and Aroostook. 

Transportation by 'rail is, of course, the most important 
means of communication at the present time, but long before 
the railroads were thought of we depended upon the ocean as a 
highway of commerce. The mention which has been made 
elsewhere of the prominent place held by Maine as a ship- 
building state carries with it the idea that it held also an im- 
portant place in ocean commerce. Lines of boats were oper- 
ated most successfully from many Maine ports, and there are 
still important centers for this branch of industry. Port- 
land, with its splendid harbor, is the terminus of several coast 
and transatlantic routes. There has been no time from the days 
when shipping carried practically all the passengers and freight 
to and from Maine that the people have not been actively 
engaged in its operation. In addition to the many small 
steamers which ply between points on the coast and navigable 
rivers, regular passenger service is maintained from Bangor 
to Rockland and Boston, and from Gardiner to Bath and 
Boston, as well as from Portland to all of these places and to 
New York. 

Electric car service has now been extended over a great 



• 



126 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

part of the southern and central part of the state. In several 
places of larger size the old horse-cars were in operation up to 
the time when electricity supplanted the horse as a motive power. 
At the present time the trolley lines run through the country 
districts for many miles, connecting the cities with each other 
and proving of great value to rural as well as urban inhabit- 
ants. One may now travel by trolley all the way from Fair- 
field to Boston and as much farther as he likes. North and east 
of Bangor the electric car service is not extensive, as large com- 
munities within short distances of each other are not so com- 
mon in those parts of the state, and these conditions are es- 
sential to the profitable operation of electric cars. We may 
expect, however, that, with the growing development of the state 
in those directions and the increase in the amount of electric 
power available, it will not be long before trolley connections 
will be established and probably used to a great extent in the 
transportation of freight as well as passengers. 

EXERCISE IX 

1. What position does Maine occupy geographically? 

2. What is the size of the state as compared with others? What 
is its greatest length and width? What have you learned about its 
coast line ? 

3. Name the counties of Maine. Which is largest and which is 
smallest ? How many towns, cities, and plantations are there ? Name 
the cities. 

4. How much of the state is included in wild land townships? 
Why are they thus called? What are they like? By what names 
are they known ? In what part of the state are most of them located ? 

5. What kind of soil does Maine have? What is the general 
character of its surface? What is the highest mountain? How high 
is it? Where is it? How does it compare with other mountains in 
height ? What can you say about the glaciers and the effect they had 
on Maine's surface? 

6. What are the principal river systems of Maine ? Find them on 
your map. What are Maine's largest lakes ? Where are they? How 
many lakes are there in Maine ? What rivers are navigable for large 
vessels and how far ? 



GEOGRAPHY AND TRANSPORTATION 127 

7. In what ways and to what extent is Maine's scenery noted? 
What are some of the things that make Maine scenery so attractive? 
Is there a great deal of variety? What business has been largely 
developed on account of the natural beauty of the state ? 

8. What were the earliest means of travel and conveyance ? Why 
were these the only means available at first ? 

9. Why are the days when stagecoaches were the principal means 
of transportation especially interesting? Many places in Maine still 
have stagecoach routes. How do they differ from those we have 
mentioned ? 

10. Compare the days of general stagecoach transportation with 
the facilities for travel to-day. What are some of the things that 
have brought about the great changes that have taken place ? 

11. Where was the first connecting railroad built in Maine? In a 
general way trace the development of railroads in the state. Name 
the principal roads. 

12. What can you say about the extent of electric car service in 
Maine? 



CHAPTER II 
AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 

Early Industries. More than three centuries have passed 
since the first settlers landed upon the Maine coast, built 
their crude dwellings, and assumed the responsibility of mak- 
ing a living for themselves in their new surroundings. Three 
great basic Maine industries were involved in this process, 
lumbering, agriculture, and fishing. All three were entirely 
essential to the life of these early pioneers. Great forest 
trees had to be felled and hewn into shape to be used for the 
construction of their habitations. From cultivation of the 
soil had to come at least a part of their subsistence, while the 
remainder came from the sea in the form of fish which were 
everywhere in abundance. Ever since that time these three 
industries have been of great importance in the history of 
Maine's development. In fact, for the greater part of the three 
centuries and more which have elapsed since their establish- 
ment, we may say that these industries have formed the very 
backbone of the state's prosperity. Radical changes have 
taken place both in the methods employed and the objects 
sought, but the same raw materials still make their contribu- 
tion to the same economic needs which met the requirements 
of our forefathers three hundred years ago. 

Agriculture. The first farms were community enterprises. 
It was necessary that all the people of the little settlements 
which marked the beginnings of the commonwealth should 
have food, and it was a matter of common self-preservation 
that no consideration should be had for individual claims to 
the products of the soil regardless of whose labor was em- 
ployed in raising the crops. All produce was put together in 
one storehouse, to be used by every one alike. It must be 

128 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 129 

recorded that the first attempts at farming were far from 
glowing successes. Many of the pioneers knew little enough 
of the science and practice of agriculture, and this lack of 
knowledge, together with the crudity of their implements and 
the character of the soil in some localities, did not help to assure 
a surplus of food. Without fertilizer the crops were likely 
to be failures and, so far as the settlers knew, there was no 
fertilizer available. But the Indians knew more about this 




A Maine Cornfield and Typical Farm Buildings 

than the whites, and they showed the settlers how to put a fish 
under a hill of corn to decay and make the crop grow. 

Later came a time when individual farms began to be carved 
out of the wilderness tracts. The methods of agriculture were 
still necessarily crude and clearings were made only by dint 
of a great deal of hard labor. After the trees were removed 
and the land burned over to prevent the stumps from sprout- 
ing, it was by no means an easy task to prepare the ground for 
planting. Roots and stumps were often large and could not 
be completely cleared away for several years. In many 
places the soil was filled with boulders and smaller rocks, which 



130 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

the farmer had to dig out and carry away. There still remain 
ample evidences of the toil of those days in the great stone walls 
which even now mark the divisions between the fields on many 
Maine farms, while here and there we find remnants of fences 
made from the pine stmnps that were dug out of the land in 
the process of clearing. These stumps, though exposed to the 
elements for many years, stand untouched by decay because of 
the pitch with which they are saturated. In a few sections of the 
state we find the clearing up of the forest to make new tillage 
fields still going on, but it is likely that much more land, for- 
merly tilled, is now being allowed to revert to its original state 
and grow up to bushes which will eventually make forest trees 
than is being reclaimed for agricultural purposes. 

While the value of farm products is constantly increasing, 
there is, nevertheless, a decided trend away from the farm 
toward the village and city. A glance at the statistical record 
shows a very large percentage of the predominantly rural towns 
whose population is only one-half or two-thirds what it was 
fifty years ago. The young people especially have felt the 
lure of the city and have left the rural districts in large num- 
bers. Often they find the opportunity which they thought 
awaited them after all only a chance to make a poorer living 
than they could have had by staying contentedly at home and 
taking advantage of the opening which was immediately be- 
fore them. The fact remains, however, that farms are being 
abandoned, at least temporarily, and this means a decrease 
in the production of the food supply, so absolutely essential 
to the welfare of the state and nation as a whole. Agriculture 
is our one fundamental industry. Whatever the importance 
of other occupations, the business of raising foodstuffs must 
continue if we are to live. 

It must not be inferred from the above statements that farm- 
ing is suffering a serious decline in Maine. When labor is 
scarce and the manufacturing industries are drawing heavily 
upon the rural supply, many farmers find it necessary to curtail 
the extent of their operations, but this is not a permanent 
condition of affairs. The more probable result is a greater 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 131 

concentration of ownership, the turning over of many of the 
more remote and less productive farms from the raising of field 
crops to use as pasturage for increasing numbers of cattle, and 
a still more extensive use of labor-saving farm machinery. 

In the early days, most of the farms were small and the labor 
was performed largely by hand. The owner and his immediate 
family worked to produce food primarily for their own suste- 
nance. As population increased and became more and more 
concentrated in towns and cities with the establishing of large 
manufacturing industries in them, there came a change also 
in the character of the agricultural industry. Instead of raising 
foodstuff primarily for his own use, the farmer began to raise 
it for near-by markets. Then came the railroads, and he found 







A Potato Field in Aroostook County 

an increasing demand for his products to be shipped away to 
the larger centers. This change came about the middle of the 
nineteenth century, although water transportation had before 
that time been gradually extending the market field of Maine 
farmers. The great strides which began to be made at about 
the same time in the improvement of farm machinery also 
served to hasten the changes which were already talcing place. 
Production on a much larger scale was now possible and there 
was reasonable assurance of an adequate market, either within 
Maine or in other states for all farm products. 

Maine has a great variety of soil for agricultural purposes. 
Some of it is sandy, some very rocky and broken by ledges, 
some gravel, some clay, some deep loam, and some of very rich 
white marl. This unusual variety of soil makes the state well 



132 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

fitted to produce any crop suitable for a temperate climate. 
Potatoes, apples, small fruits, corn, hay, oats, and other grains 
are raised in large quantities. In potatoes, Maine far surpasses 
all other states in yield per acre. The total crop runs from 
twenty to thirty million bushels annually. Aroostook County 
is noted throughout the country for the quality and quantity 
of the potatoes raised, but many other sections of the state are 
also contributing extensively to Maine's high position in the 
production of this crop. Maine ranks fifth in total potato 
production, being surpassed only by New York, Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan, all of which are much larger in area 
and in acreage. 

There are approximately 60,000 farms in Maine. They 
produce annually about 1,500,000 tons of hay, 1,000,000 bushels 
of corn, 600,000 bushels of wheat", 7,000,000 bushels of oats, 
400,000 bushels of buckwheat, 200,000 bushels of barley, and 
500,000 barrels of apples. In yield per acre in all of the above 
products Maine is far above the average for the country. 

Many organizations are maintained for promoting the agri- 
cultural interests of the state. The Patrons of Husbandry, 
with approximately 50,000 members and owning 450 fine 
grange halls scattered through every section of the state, is 
a most powerful agency in rural community life. Maine is 
well organized with Farmers' Unions, dealing effectively with 
general marketing problems, while there are also several Fruit 
Growers' Exchanges and a large number of Milk Producers' 
Associations. The College of Agriculture at the University 
of Maine and the State Department of Agriculture are both 
doing splendid work in their several lines of activity, seeking to 
render assistance in every possible way to the farmers of the 
state through the spreading of valuable information, doing 
experimental work, and giving supervision to many things of 
vital importance to Maine agriculture. The state owns two 
experimental farms in addition to the one which is connected 
with the University. One of these is in Monmouth and the 
other in Pre^ue Isle. Thousands of our young people are 
organized into Boys' and Girls' Clubs for carrying on projects 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 133 



in agriculture and canning. Extension work is also organized 
in most of the counties of the state under the direction of expert 
agents. 

Three state agricultural fairs are held each year, one in 
Bangor, one in Waterville, and one in Lewiston. In addition, 
there are local and county fair associations in some fifty different 
places, while many towns hold excellent fairs each year without 
having a formal association. 

Other important and virile agricultural organizations are the 
Maine State Pomological Society, the Maine Dairymen's 




A Typical Lumber Camp 

Association, the Maine Seed Improvement Association, and the 
Maine Livestock Breeders' Association, all of which are doing 
much for the agricultural interests of the state. 

Lumbering. No other natural resource, with the possible 
exception of her water-power, has contributed so much to the 
industrial prosperity of Maine as has her lumber. We have no 
way of knowing what part of the total area of the state was 
originally forested, but it is certain that it was a very large 
portion. Even to-day the best estimate obtainable gives fifteen 



134 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

million acres as the present forested area, and this is practically 
three-fourths of the whole state. Not all of this vast territory 
is in timber. It is estimated that about two million acres are 
in woodlots having little lumber value. 

As in the case of farming the lumber business in Maine was 
at first a purely local industry. While sawmills were established 
very soon after the arrival of the earliest settlers, they were 
poorly equipped for heavy work and for many years the manu- 
facture of lumber was to a considerable extent carried on by 
hand. The broadaxe, wedge, and cleaver were the tools used 
in shaping most of the timbers which went into the construction 
of buildings. If we look in almost any of the old houses and 
barns as they stand to-day, we shall find that the sills, beams, 
rafters, and ribs were hewn with a broadaxe instead of being 
sawed, as the marks of the axe upon them clearly indicate. It 
was customary to put together the pieces of the entire frame of 
the side of a building flat on the ground and then raise it into 
an upright position with the help of many men. This was 
called a " raising " and was looked upon as a great event in the 
community and a time for menymaking. 

In spite of the fact that timber was plentiful, it was so con- 
stantly in demand and the mills which were operating on every 
stream near the coast and larger rivers were so rapidly devouring 
all within their reach, that even before Maine became a separate 
state in 1820 there was talk of timber scarcity. Of course there 
was plenty of timber, but it was located so far inland as to make 
it unprofitable to bring it out after it was sawed, even if mills 
could easily have been located where the timber was growing. 
It must be remembered that there were then no railroads 
operating in Maine, and that the period of railroad trans- 
portation did not begin until many years later. The problem 
was solved by cutting the trees and landing the logs on the 
banks of the rivers in winter. When the snow melted and the 
ice went out in the spring, the logs were floated down to the 
mills, exactly as is done at the present time. 

White pine was practically the only lumber then used, with 
the exception of cedar, more durable for shingles. Vast forests 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 135 



of pine, in which some of the trees were of tremendous size, 
grew everywhere. It is no wonder that Maine has been called 
*' The Pine Tree State." It was also natural that the largest 
river system, the Penobscot, penetrating as it does into the very 
heart of the great forest area, should have developed the 
biggest lumber business. Bangor, at the head of the Penobscot 
navigation, l^ecame a city of great importance in the lumber 




Lumber Mill at Ashland 

One of the largest mills in Maine. Notice the logs in the river, most of them 
stuck in the shallows rather than floating to their destination further down- 
stream. 

industry. The large and numerous mills located there and in 
the vicinity sawed millions of feet of the best pine lumber each 
year and shipped it by boat to all parts of the world. For many 
years Bangor was listed as the greatest lumber market on earth. 
As the pine supply became depleted, however, the importance 
of this market gradually declined, although it is still a great 
lumber center and is headquarters for all the extensive opera- 
tions in the vast region to the east, north, and west of the city. 
Because the Penobscot River drainage basin has been given 



136 



MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 



the most important place in speaking of Maine's lumber in- 
dustry, it must not be assumed that others are not also im- 
portant. Except for the overshadowing timber resources of the 
Penobscot territory, we should look upon those of the Andros- 
coggin, the Kennebec, and the St. John as being of tremendous 
proportions, as indeed they are. It is estimate'd that the total 
timber cut of the state averages about a billion feet per year, 




A Load of Maine Lumber 

Method of hauling lumber to the mill or to the river bank, to be floated down 
to the mill in the spring freshets. 

and that the supply of merchantable lumber is something like 
thirty-five billion feet. Of this total about twenty-five billion 
feet are spruce, six billion pine, three billion cedar, and one 
billion hemlock. In addition, there are many million feet of 
the common hard woods — beech, yellow birch, and maple — 
but a large part of it is so located as to be unmarketable at the 
present time on account of lack of transportation facilities. 
There is also a considerable supply of white birch and poplar. 
How long these timber resources will be maintained is a problem 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 137 

upon which there is a great difference of opinion. There is no 
question, however, but that the annual cut, the loss from forest 
fires and from insect pests, are much greater than the annual 
growth and eventually must mean a great reduction in the 
amount of lumber that Maine can supply. 

We have not space to enumerate the many uses to which 
Maine lumber is being put. In general we may say that a 
large part of the spruce goes into pulp and paper, although 
much is also used for general building purposes. Pine, hem- 
lock, and fir are used in building, in boxes, and in shingles, while 
cedar is largely sawed into shingles and is extensively used for 
railroad ties and telegraph poles. The hard woods are made 
up into a great variety of novelty products, white birch being 
especially valuable for spools and toothpicks. Poplar is used 
to a considerable extent to make certain grades of paper. 

Fisheries. The fishing industry has always been a leading 
business of Maine's coast towns. Begun, like farming and 
lumbering, as a necessary part of the work of establishing and 
maintaining the early settlements, it later developed into a 
great commercial enterprise. For many years Maine's vessels 
were found in large numbers on the Grand Banks of New- 
foundland, but that fishing ground is no longer much frequented 
by these vessels. Cod fishing is still pursued to a considerable 
extent at various points off the Maine coast. Other kinds of 
deep-sea fish, together with those that are taken principally in 
the rivers, contribute to the grand total a value of several 
million dollars per year. The shellfish, lobsters and clams, are 
a very important part of the product of the coast fisheries. 
There are some towns which are almost entirely dependent upon 
the lobster fishing as a source of income for their inhabitants. 

By far the most valuable part of the present fisheries busi- 
ness in Maine is that which deals with the catching and packing 
of small herring, or sardines as they are usually known. The 
center of this industry is in Eastport and Lubec. Nearly half 
of the total number of establishments engaged in this business 
are in those two places. Packing plants in other towns of 
Washington County give to that county two-thirds of the total 



138 



MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 



number in the state. Others are located in several coast towns 
and cities as far west as South Portland. Several of these are 
simply branches of the Eastport and Lubec establishments. 




A Sardine Factory at Eastport 

In no other state except Maine is this industry of any great 
importance. 

An Early Industrial Success. It is sometimes particularly 
interesting to learn, in the midst of the state's great manufac- 
turing prosperity, how the very first steps were taken toward 
establishing Maine's industries. In most cases the names of 
the founders have been forgotten, but at least one family's 
fame is perpetuated in the naming of a city and in the develop- 
ment of a great country estate. 

The story is unique and romantic. Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, 
a wealthy physician and druggist in Boston, was the largest 
single owner of a strip of Maine territory known as the Kennebec 
Purchase, a corporation formed in 1753. Dr. Gardiner encour- 
aged settlement on his holdings in that part of Pownalboro 
now known as Dresden and later in what was at that time 



AGRICULTURAL^ AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 



139 



known as Gardinerstown. He built dams and mills, and 
attracted further settlements by easy sales of land. On the 
death of Dr. Gardiner in 1786, his son William inherited the 
estates under the Kennebec Purchase, and carried on actively 
the wealth-producing development of the region. 




" Oaklands " 

One of the finest types of architecture for country estates. Designed by a 
great American architect, Richard Upjohn, and built in 1840. 

By the terms of the will of Dr. Gardiner, the entire property 
fell to his grandson, Robert Hallowell, on the sudden death of 
William in 1787. Robert was then but five years old, and under 
the terms of the inheritance had to take the name of Gardiner. 
When he was twenty-one years old, he came to Gardiner, and 
immediately proceeded to repair the dams and mills built by 
his grandfather. He offered liberal inducements for manu- 
facturers to settle there and invited new inhabitants by sales 
and leases on most advantageous terms. 

For sixty years, Mr. Gardiner was closely associated with 
all those things which contributed to the highest business, 



140 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

social, and moral welfare of his city. He endowed and laid the 
cornerstone of Christ Church in 1819, still one of the most 
beautiful granite structures in Maine. 

Outgrowing the modest needs of his house in Pittson, Mr. 
Gardiner built, in 1840, " Oaklands," one of the most perfect 
examples of English rural architecture in America. It is built 
of Hallowell granite with ornamentation of buttresses, turrets, 
and battlements, a style prevalent in England during the reigns 
of Henry VIII and Elizabeth. 

Unlike so many of the finest estates in this country which 
have passed out of the hands of the original family owners, 
descendants of the Gardiners still retain possession of " Oak- 
lands." In it are found interesting collections of furniture and 
paintings of four or five generations of the family. The 
preservation of an estate and of its contents of great historic 
interest is a public trust. In this case it is well carried out, 
and a credit to the community whose prosperity at its early 
beginnings centered about personal leadership of the highest 
order. 

Water-power. Reference has previously been made to the 
tremendous water-power resources of Maine found in its net- 
work of rivers and streams which are fed by hundreds of lakes 
and ponds found everywhere in the state. Most of these water- 
courses have power possibilities. Many of them have already 
been developed, while others either have not been developed at 
all or are utilized to only a fractional part of their capacities. 
As most of the great manufacturing establishments are operated 
by water-power, we should know more about power develop- 
ment and its possibilities before we study the industries which 
are dependent upon it. 

It is probable that over 1,000,000 horse power would be 
available if all sites were developed. The Androscoggin system 
has more utilized power than any other, while the Penobscot is 
next, and the Kennebec third. Some of the places where the 
greatest amounts of power have been developed are Woodland 
(Washington County), Millinocket, Waterville, Rumford, Liver- 
more Falls, Lewiston and Auburn, Brunswick, Westbrook, 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 



141 



Standish, Biddeford and Saco, Sanford, Berwick, Augusta, 
Madison, Skowhegan, Fairfield, Ellsworth, Bangor, Oldtown, 
and Solon. This list could be greatly extended, but it shows 
how generally these tremendous water-powers are distributed 
over the state. 

The principal manufacturing purposes for which these 
powers are utilized include electric light and power, pulp and 
paper, woolen goods, cotton goods, long and short lumljer. 




A Part of the Water-power Development at Rumford 



machinery, and many others of minor importance. It is likely 
that the great developments of the future will be for the purpose 
of supplying electric power. Since it is possible to transmit 
energy in this form for long distances, mills can be operated by 
electricity which is generated at some plant located miles away 
at a power site where it might not be at all feasible to build 
a factory. 

Pulp and Paper. The combination of splendid water-powers 
and a plentiful supply of spruce lumber has made it possible for 
Maine to develop her greatest industry, the manufacture of 



142 



MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 



wood-pulp and paper. It was not until after 1850 that the 
processes were invented which made it possible to use wood in 
paper manufacture on a commercial scale. Long before that 
time there is record of paper being made from rags and some 
other materials, but it was not until it was found possible to 
use wood that paper-making became a great industry, an<l it is 
only within the last quarter century that it has assumed pri- 
mary importance. It is easy nov/ to look back and see how 




The Pulp and Paper Mills at Rumford 

inevitable it was that Maine should be a great paper-making 
state, but those who first saw the vision of it and proceeded to 
take advantage of the opportunity deserve much credit for their 
foresight. The paper industry began to come into prominence 
at just the time when it seemed that Maine's great lumber 
business was about to wane. The pine timber was becoming 
less and less plentiful,'and the vast forests of spruce could not 
take the place of pine as building material. But the advent 
of the paper business, in which spruce was the one great requi- 
site, at once changed the aspect of things. 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 143 

The first mill was located at Topshain in 1868. Shortly after, 
there were mills operating at Brunswick, Skowhegan, West- 
brook, Paris, Norway, and Windham. Of these places, only 
Topsham, Westbrook, and Windham now have plants of any 
size. The pulp and paper mills in the different towns and cities 
in Maine employ thousands of men and women in the plants 
themselves, to say nothing (jf the othei- thousands of men 
engaged in cutting ami hauling the lumber. The largest mills 
are located at Rumford, Westbrook, Millinocket, Winslow, 
Brewer, Baileyville, and Madison. No other industry now 
equals pulp and paper manufacture in importance to the state. 
More than a million cords of pulpwood are each year put 
through the mills, and this makes Maine the leading state in 
the consumption of wood for that piu-pose. With the possible 
exception of New York, Maine is also the leading state in the 
value of her pulp and paper products. 

Cotton Goods. The manufacture of cotton cloth began in 
Maine early in the nineteenth century, not long after ma- 
chinery had been successfully adapted to the work of spinning 
and weaving cotton. A small mill was established in Bruns- 
wick in 1809, and very soon after that others were in operation 
in Gardiner and Wilton. These attempts at cotton manu- 
facture were not altogether successful at first, but constant 
experiments were being carried on and mills were opened in 
several places with varying success. 

Before 1850 the business had become fairly well established 
in what are now the great textile centers of the state, — the 
cities of Saco, Biddeford, and Lewiston, and since then the 
industry has been increased by large mills at Augusta and 
Waterville. In addition to the five places just named there 
are mills of considerable size at Brunswick, Auburn, Lisbon, 
and Westbrook. Lewiston has five mills, employing several 
thousand operatives. 

From the list of places in which the cotton industry is located, 
it will be noted that the mills are in operation only within a 
very small area when compared with the size of the state, 
Cumberland; York, Kennebec, and Androscoggin counties 



144 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

being the only four represented. The tendency in the cotton 
business has been toward concentration by increasing the size 
of mills rather than then- number. 

Woolen Goods. There are many striking points of difference 
between the methods employed in the manufacture of cotton 
and woolen goods. In the first place we find that while there 
are in Maine only a few cotton mills and that they are of large 
size, on the other hand there are woolen mills in a much larger 
number of towns and cities. Some of the mills are very small, 
having considerably less than a hundred employees, and none 
of them is larger than the smallest of the cotton mills. The 
woolen business, except for several mills in Lewiston, is carried 



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The Lockwood Cotton Mill at Waterville 

on in the smaller towns rather than in the larger cities as is true 
of the cotton business. 

The manufacture of wool into cloth began almost as soon as 
the first settlers reached our shores. It wa^ a household in- 
dustry. The rolls of wool were spun into yarn by hand with 
the spinning wheel, which may still be found in some of our old 
houses, and was then woven into rough homespun by means 
of the hand loom. The bark of certain trees was used to dye 
the cloth. 

Thus, while this method of woolen manufacture was very 
generally carried on, no mills were operated until about the 
beginning of the last century, when the application of machinery 
was being made to many industries which had up to that time 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 145 

been largely the business of the home. Lisbon was the first 
town to have a woolen mill and others were soon established 
in Dexter, Lewiston, and Dover. All of these were of small 
size and the industry grew very slowly. A gradual increase 
continued, however, and, after some fifty years or more, we 
find that there were nearly a hundred mills in operation, 
employing about 3000 operatives. For some reason there has 
been a considerable fluctuation in the number of mills for making 
woolen goods, and we now find only about two-thirds as many 
as during the years of greatest activity. It is worthy of note, 
however, that the mills are now much larger on the average 
than they were forty years ago when the number of mills was 
largest, and the number of employees is more than three times 
as many, being given as 10,861 in 1917. 

The principal centers of the woolen industry are now Lewis- 
ton, Lisbon, Sabattus, Oakland, North Vassalboro, Waterville, 
Camden, Dexter, Oldtown, Dover, Guilford, Sangerville, 
Hartland, Madison, Pittsfield, and Skowhegan. In Sanford 
are located great worsted mills, and there also are manufactured 
large quantities of mohair, plush, and palm beach cloth. This 
list shows over how much greater an area the woolen industry 
has spread than is represented by the cotton mills. 

Boots and Shoes. The history of the manufacture of boots 
and shoes is that of a very gradual development from the hand 
method to that of large-scale factory production. In olden 
days there was at least one shoemaker or cobbler in every 
town, and even now one of these old-time workmen may oc- 
casionally be found. His business now is usually limited to 
repair work, whereas it was formerly customary for the cobbler 
to make the whole boot or shoe to measure from the leather, 
which he himself cut, shaped, sewed, and nailed. 

It is difficult to ascertain just when the change from the 
hand to the factory system of shoemaking began, because we 
cannot be sure that the earliest census records correctly show 
the distinction between hand and machine estabHshments. 
Auburn was undoubtedly one of the first places in Maine 
where a shoe shop was put into operation and the date was not 



146 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

far from 1850. The business proved to be a profitable one and it 
expanded fairly rapidly so that what we may properly call large- 
scale production was reached as soon after the close of the Civil 
War as the general market conditions permitted. It is only 
within the last thirty yejirs, however, that the industry has 
assumed real importance in comparison with others in the 
state. No doubt the estalilishing of the immense shoe factories 
ill several Massachusetts cities had an influence in the develop- 
ment of the industry in Maine. 

Naturally the leather business must be closely connected with 
the manufacture of boots and shoes. For many yeUrs the 
business of tanning leather was an important one in a large 
number of Ma^ne towns and the product was largely used, but 
the tannery at Island Falls is now the only one of great size- in 
the state. The change has come about as a result of changes 
in tanning processes. Formerly hemlock bark was an essential 
in the treatment of hides as they were made into leather, but 
when chemicals began to be employed more generally in the 
tanning process it was found that leather could be made much 
more cheaply and in only a small fraction of the time re- 
quired when bark was used. This spelled the doom of the 
leather business in Maine and our tanneries were one by one 
abandoned, but in many towns their remains can still be 
seen. 

The decline of the leather business did not have any harmful 
effect on the local shoe industry and its development continued 
unabated until we now have forty different factories, but 
eight of these are so small as to be practically negligible in any 
consideration of the industry as a whole. Auburn is by far 
the leading shoe manufacturing center, while others of im- 
portance include Biddeford, Hallowell, Augusta, Gardiner, 
Belfast, and Calais. 

Shipbuilding. The business of building ships has been one 
of Maine's fundamental industries since the very beginning 
of her settlement. In fact it is worthy of note that the Popham 
colony which attempted to establish itself at the mouth of the 
Kennebec in 1607 built a fifty-ton vessel as one of the few 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 147 

enterprises which it successfully completed before giving up 
the settlement: This was undoubtedly the earliest instance 
of American shipbuilding. It is not strange perhaps that 
Bath, only a few miles from the site on which this first vessel was 
built, should have later come to occupy one of the world's 
premier positions as a shipbuilding city. It was hei-e and at 
Portland that the shipping industry was first established. 

In those days there was no such thing known as a steel ship. 
All vessels were built of wood and Maine had a wealth of that 
material, especially of the essential oak and pine used in the 
construction of hulls, masts, and finish. It was a regular part 
of the lumbering business to search out those trees which, 
on account of a peculiar shape of trunk and root, could be 
made into ship-knees. Yards for shipbuilding were established 
at a great many points on the coast, as well as on the Kennebec 
and Penobscot rivers, and Maine-built vessels were known 
everywhere. It was but a natural result that Maine coast 
towns should produce a large number of seafaring men, many 
of whom became captains and owners of ships which they sailed 
to all parts of the world. In these same towns there are still 
numerous houses in which may be seen relics of the many 
voyages made by these men from which they returned bringing 
countless souvenirs of their travel to foreign lands. 

Up to about the year 1850 shipping was Maine's leading 
industry. From that time it began to decline and during the 
Civil War it suffered severely, never to regain its position. 
Yard after yard was closed and fell into decay, so that for many 
years the building of ships was practically restricted to Bath, 
Camden, Rockland, Thomaston, Boothbay, South Portland, 
Waldoboro, and Machias. The change from wood to steel as 
a material for shipbuilding took from Maine one of the prin- 
cipal advantages which had previously been hers by reason 
of her abundance of ship lumber. True, wooden vessels were 
still built, but the growing predominance of the steel ship was so 
evidently significant of the ultimate doom of the wooden vessel, 
that it seemed folly to attempt any extension of the wooden 
ship industry. 



148 



MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 



Maine's shipping fame centers around Bath, where several 
different yards have been engaged in the industry ever since 
it was first estabhshed. Here have been built many of the 
largest and best of the world's wooden ships which made the 
name of Bath well known in all corners of the globe. With 
the decline of the wooden ship it seemed that the city would soon 

lose the prestige 
which it had so 
long held. But this 
fear was not to be 
realized, for the 
Bath Iron Works, 
with Thomas W. 
Hyde as the prin- 
cipal owner, under- 
took to demonstrate 
that steel vessels 
could be built in 
Maine even though 
far removed from 
the source of raw 
material. In 1890 
a government con- 
tract for the con- 
struction of two 
steel cruisers of a 
thousand tons each 
was secured, and 
from that moment 
the future of Bath as a steel shipbuilding city was assured. 
There has been scarcely a year since that time when some 
government vessel has not been under construction there. 
During and after the World War torpedo boat destroyers were 
constantly in the process of building. The plant has been 
greatly enlarged in recent years and it is now one of the best 
equipped in the whole country. 

The Texas Company, also engaged in the building of steel 




The U. S. S. Preble 

Launched from the Bath Iron Works, March 8, 1920. 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 149 

ships, is another great concern capable of accommodating no less 
than twenty-four of these vessels at one time on its ways. It is 
located a short, distance farther up the river than the Bath Iron 
Works. Although it has been in operation for only a few 
years, it has already added much to the reputation of the city 
as ^ great shipbuilding center. 

The impetus given to the shipbuilding industry as a result 
of the policy adopted during the World War was immediately 
felt in Maine. Here was one of the few places in which could 
be found many of the skilled workmen necessary to carry out 
the government's great wooden shipbuilding program. In 
many of the coast towns shipyards, long fallen into disuse, 
were rehabilitated as quickly as possible and the work proceeded 
apace. In a remarkably short time places which had never 
expected again to be the scene of a launching were treated to 
that inspiring spectacle. Some of the Kennebec and Penobscot 
river towns also renewed their former shipbuilding activities, 
and soon an army of workmen were employed *in the various 
yards. To Bath it meant practically the doubling of the city's 
population and the erection of hundreds of dwelling houses and 
other buildings of a permanent nature with the idea that this 
revival of the shipbuilding business would mean good times in 
the industry for many years. 

Other Industries. We have briefly considered what are 
usually regarded as the principal industries in Maine. There 
are of course a great many others which are worthy of mention 
and which give employment to large numbers of workers. 
Many of these industries are simply supplementary to one or 
another of the principal industries already considered, as, for 
example, the making of starch from potatoes. Still others are 
entirely distinct. In fact there are a great many businesses, 
occupations, and trades which are of extreme importance, but 
which are largely of local interest and not of state-wide ap- 
plication. 

The lime business is highly important in Rockland and other 
places in that part of the state. The canning of corn, other 
vegetables, and fruit is carried on very extensively in summer 



150 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

and fall in a large number of places. Machine shops and 
foundries of considerable size are found in several of the cities 
and towns. Bakeries are numerous ; there are many grist 
mills ; printing establishments are in every town of good size ; 
brickyards are found throughout the central and southern 
part of the state where good brick clay is available ; mills for 
manufacturing all kinds of wood products are scattered over 
the state ; creameries are operated extensively, and so we might 
list dozens of others. 

Special mention should be made of the granite business, 
which is now somewhat less important than a few years ago 
before the use of cement became common for building purposes. 
Maine granite is to be found in thousands of buildings in cities 
all through the eastern part of the United States. It is of the 
very finest quality and has been extensively used in many of 
the finest public buildings in the country. Vinalhaven, Ston- 
ington, Sullivan, Franklin, Hallowell, and Jay are noted for 
their granite quarries. 

Slate, of very fine quality, is quarried extensively in Monson. 
Brownville at one time was also noted for this product. 

Maine has much iron in some localities, but the ore is not 
considered rich enough to make it profitable to mine. Some 
j^ears ago, however, at Katahdin Iron Works, near Brownville, 
the iron deposits were thought to be sufficiently valuable 
so that nearly a million dollars was expended in installing 
furnaces and other equipment for mining, and considerable 
ore was taken from the ground. Even now, except for certain 
legal complications, it is said that the mines could be profitably 
worked, ofTering an interesting development of the industry 
in Maine. 

At Bluehill there is a copper mine which was operated for 
a time. Gold has been found in fifteen different towns in 
Maine, and a number of silver mines also have been operated 
at various times. Moreover, silver is known to exist in a 
great many other localities, at least in small quantities. Modern 
methods increase the possibilities of making these mines pay- 
ing undertakings, but it is not likely that any kind of mining 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 151 

will be very extensively pursued in Maine under present 
conditions. 

In precious stones Maine offers the tourmaline, which is 
found at Mt. Apatite in Auburn and Mt. Mica in Paris as well 
as in lesser quantities ejsewhere. These gems are considered 




The Abandoned Mill at Katahdin Iron Works 



of the very highest quality and, when properly cut, are beauti- 
fully brilliant. The crystals are found in several different 
colors. 

We should not leave the subject of Maine industries without 
a mention of one which In former years was of great importance. 
This was the business of cutting and storing ice. Maine 
winters are almost always marked by severely cold weather 
for at least a sufficient period to freeze ice in the rivers and lakes 
to a thickness of from twelve to thirty inches. In addition to 
cutting enough for local use during the summer heat, thousands 
of tons were harvested and stored in enormous ice houses to 
be shipped to Boston, New York, and other cities farther 
south. The greater part of this product was cut on the Ken- 



152 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

nebec and Penobscot rivers below Augusta and Bangor, where 
it could easily be loaded on vessels for shipment. 

At the present time the ice business, except the harvest for 
local consumption, is of small consequence. The reasons are 
found in the greater development of the industry on the Hud- 
son River, which is much nearer the big city markets and 
therefore is a source of supply that affords cheaper trans- 
portation. Furthermore, the production of artificial ice has 
been greatly increased by the perfection of processes which 
make possible the extension of the industry to compete more 
successfully with the natural product. Now the Maine ice 
fields are simply a reserve which is called upon only in years 
when the Hudson does not freeze sufficiently to supply the 
normal amount. Many ice houses in Maine have fallen into 
decay or have burned so that the storage capacity is only 
a small fraction of its former quantity. 

Summer Resorts. Mention has already been made of 
Maine's premier position as a vacation state. Partly on ac- 
count of its most agreeable summer climate, partly because 
of the surpassing beauty and variety of its scenery, and partly 
because of the opportunities it affords for seclusion to those 
who value the chance to escape for a time the roar and hustle 
of the great cities, Maine holds an appeal to the play instinct 
which is so strong in a great proportion of the American 
people. 

The summer resort business is not one of the oldest. In fact, 
it has reached its great development only in comparatively 
recent years. Before the Civil War the spirit of recreation in 
the great out-of-doors had not taken the firm hold upon our 
people that it has since gained. Means of transportation were 
limited so that vacationists could not so easily seek rest and 
pleasure at a distance from their homes. Moreover, most of 
the great fortunes of our wealthiest people as well as the very 
much more general distribution of wealth were factors which 
were practically unknown at that time. But as the country 
recovered from the strain of war, and business of all kinds 
became more and more extensive and profitable, there came 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 



153 



a tremendous increase in the ability of people to gratify their 
desires for healthful recreation. 

Maine, located as it is off the main routes of travel, was 
regarded by many as a state of which only a strip a few miles 
back from the coast was settled, in which the people and their 
manner of living, except within a small area, were crude and 
undeveloped. Even to-day this impression persists among 
altogether too many who have neglected to correct their judg- 
ment. Very gradually did the fame of Maine's wonderful 
natural attractiveness and the hospitality of her people spread 
abroad. It resulted in a greater and still greater number of 
visitors during the summer months. Cottages, hotels, and 




A Lake-side Summer Camp for Young People 

camps began to be built on mountain, lake, and stream. The 
transportation service by rail and boat from Boston and New 
York was extended, and some of the finest limited trains were 
placed on the Maine schedule. Then came the automobile. 
Immediately the new means of travel meant a great increase 
in the summer business as well as a change in its character. 
Where, heretofore, the majority of visitors had come to a place 
to remain for weeks and even months, they now stayed for a 
day or two and motored on to view the attractions of an entirely 
new location. The changes have been almost kaleidoscopic 
in their swiftness and have required rapid adjustments to meet 
them. Better roads were necessary and a vast program of 
improvement and building was commenced. Other changes, 



154 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

many of them, have come about as a result of this increasing 
tide of summer travel and doubtless many more are to come. 

It is difficult to estimate the number of summer visitors who 
come to Maine each year. It has been placed as high as 
200,000 for the inland resorts alone and if to that is added the 
still greater number who visit the coast and do not go farther 
inland, the total must go well above 500,000. The summer 
hotel and cottage property owned by these non-residents 
amounts to many millions of dollars, all of which is capital 
that has come to the state not to be gradually withdrawn in 
the form of mineral products, oil, coal, or lumber as is true so gen- 
erally in many states, but instead it is to remain as a permanent 
asset for further growth, as still others seek to draw dividends of 
health and happiness from Maine's inexhaustible supply. 

It would be useless to attempt to describe or even to list in 
these pages the various places where the summer business is 
well established. York, Wells, Scarboro, and Old Orchard are 
noted for their beaches, the one at Old Orchard with its miles 
of clean, hard sand being regarded as one of the finest in the 
world. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are as attractive 
towns as one could wish. Casco Bay, with the beautiful city 
of Portland, the largest in the state, and its many islands of 
exquisite beauty, presents its visitors with an unusually enticing 
combination of seclusion almost in the midst of urban surround- 
ings. 

Just east of Portland, at the mouth of the Kennebec, is a 
group of island and shore resorts, among which may be men- 
tioned Orr's Island, the scene of Mrs. Stowe's novel, The Pearl 
of Orr's Island, Bailey's Island, Squirrel Island, Ocean Point, 
and Boothbay Harbor, all of which are worthy of minute 
description. The story of their development as ocean resorts 
is a record of rapid changes from quiet little settlements and 
secluded harbors to bustling towns and busy landings. 

The thriving shipbuilding city of Bath is but a few miles up 
the river. Close at hand is historic Pemaquid, of which it has 
been said that " it has more history to the square foot than any 
other place in New England." All along the coast as far as 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 155 

Rockland are to be found beautiful cottages and attractive 
hotels built for occupancy only during the summer months. 
As one sails in and out among the many islands and marvels at 
the wonders of the scenery, there can be no question as to the 
impression which must have been created in the minds of those 
early explorers who cruised through these same thoroughfares 
and gazed upon the beauty of the Maine coast. It is not strange 
that the stories which they told of this new land should have 
inspired others with a desire to see and know it for themselves. 

Penobscot Bay is much larger than Casco and is equally 
attractive. The tide of summer traffic has spread itself along 
almost every foot of its shores, its increasing flood working 
characteristic changes in every direction. Rockland, Camden, 
Belfast, Northport, Castine, all have their own individual 
appeal and do not lack for admirers. The islands also are 
fully as popular. Islesboro is the location of some of the most 
pretentious summer palaces, or cottages as they are usually 
called, on the whole Maine coast. The Camden hills and 
Bluehill Mountain add their rugged grandeur to the coast 
scenery in this section. 

The next point of special interest is Mt. Desert Island. For 
this must be reserved a place of unchallenged distinction. Bar 
Harbor is, of course, recognized as its most widely known unit, 
but Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Southwest Harbor 
are becoming almost as famous as the great resort itself. Na- 
ture could scarcely have been more prodigal in the endowments 
which she showered upon this favored spot. The combination 
of mountain, lake, and ocean presents an unrivaled scenic 
effect. Upon the island are located the summer homes of 
many of America's wealthiest and most noted men and women. 
Few indeed of those whose names have been written large in 
the annals of our country's history, during the last quarter 
century at least, have failed to come into intimate contact 
with some part of Mt. Desert Island during one or more seasons. 
The combined valuation of the three towns of Bar Harbor, 
Mt. Desert, and Southwest Harbor, which include the principal 
summer colonies, is considerably more than ten million dollars, 



156 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

and the year-round population is only about seven thousand, 
with no manufacturing industry of any importance. From 
these facts may be gained some conception of the magnitude 
of the investment in summer property in these places. 

On Mt. Desert Island is now located the Lafayette National 
Park. It occupies the main portion of the island's mountain 
range. Five thousand acres were purchased by interested 
persons and presented to the government as a reservation 
which was proclaimed in 1916 by President Wilson as the Sieur 
de Monts National Monument. In 1919 it was designated by 
Congress as a national park, the only one in any of the eastern 
states. Its size has been largely increased since 1916 and 
it includes most of the island mountains, some of which rise 
almost out of the ocean itself to a height of more than 1500 feet. 

East of Mt. Desert the coast is less rugged and less fre- 
quented by summer traffic, although by no means unattractive 
nor devoid of those visitors who find there the keenest and 
deepest satisfaction during the season's recreation period. 

Turning from the coast for a moment to some of the inland 
resorts we find so many that it is useless to attempt even 
mention of more than a few of the best known, but with the 
knowledge that others have an equal if not greater claim by 
reason of their most admirable surroundings. The hundreds 
of inland lakes are yearly growing in popularity with the 
summer tourists, and the extension of the system of state 
highways means a constantly increasing number who will 
seek out and enjoy these veritable gems of nature in their 
settings of forests and hills and thriving agricultural com- 
munities. 

At Poland Springs is located the most palatial of the state's 
summer hotels. The mineral spring there with its world-wide 
reputation has no doubt contributed to the popularity of this 
beautiful spot, but even without it there is sufficient reason 
for the position which it holds in the hearts of thousands of 
visitors. Sebago Lake, the Rangeleys, and the Belgrade chain 
are all so well known and of such attractiveness as to call back 
year after year an ever increasing host of admirers. 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 



157 



If one lake is to be chosen as more wonderful than any other 
in the state, the choice would no doubt fall upon that great 
inland sea, Moosehead. No one who has stood on the top of 
Mt. Kineo, rising precipitously from the water's edge to a height 
of eight hundred feet, and looked out upon the marvelous 
panorama spread before him, will hesitate to accord to this 
scene a full measure of enthusiastic praise. It is no reflection 
upon the attractions of other places to say that here is the 




Study Hour in a Boys' Camp 

equal of any of them. On every side the forest stretches out 
in seemingly endless expanse, while mountains rear their heads 
in majestic splendor in whatever direction the eye may turn. 
Below, the lake itself, with its miles of dancing waters, lends 
an enchantment to be found nowhere more strikingly apparent 
than here in the very heart of Maine's great playground area. 

On the shores of the lake are already a large number of 
summer cottages and camps, while the Mt. Kineo House is one 
of the very finest and largest hotels in Maine. There is room, 
however, for several times as many more estates and hotels, 



158 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

and the opening of a state automobile highway to the upper 
section of the lake will make it even more popular and well 
known than it is now. Here the vacation season is not limited 
to the summer months, because spring fishing and fall hunting 
are nowhere better than in this part of the state. In fact, 
these factors are sufficiently strong to make the number of 
visitors as great during these seasons as in midsummer. 

A phase of the summer business which is of comparatively 
recent development but nevertheless of great and growing im- 
portance is that of boys' and girls' summer camps. These 
have been established upon a large number of lakes and in 
them young America finds the fulfillment of the most fanciful 
and delightful dreams of vacation pleasure under the super- 
vision of expert tutors and guides. A summer in the open 
air devoted largely to boating, bathing, hikes, and fishing, 
with so much study as may be required in individual cases, 
is one of the things which more and more boys and girls from 
the larger cities are anticipating with delight. 

Maine as a Place to Live. In the foregoing pages we have 
given a resume in brief of the history and resources of the state. 
In those which follow will be given the principal facts m relation 
to its government. One of the reasons why Maine has not 
developed even faster is the fact that many of its young people 
have apparently been convinced that a greater opportunity 
for fame and fortune awaited them in other places. In some 
instances this has been true, as it is true in every state, but in 
a far greater number of instances those who have left Maine 
have found that the road to fortune was no easier elsewhere, 
and that other attractions were infinitely less than they ap- 
peared to be when viewed from a distance. 

If all the people who have gone from Maine to other states 
had remained in the state, and if all the Maine money that has 
been sent out of the state to finance visionary schemes in some 
other part of the country had been invested in its own in- 
dustries, Maine would have a population and a valuation at 
least double its present figure. Maine people have been 
changing their attitude toward their own state with marvelous 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 159 

rapidity during the past few years, and if they continue to 
boost Maine at every opportunity, it will not be long before 
the state will find the tide incoming even more strongly than 
during the last decade. The natural resources are almost 
without parallel. In ten years the state could easily support 
twice as many people as are now found within its borders. 
No state could be more beautiful or more healthful than 
Maine. The valuation of the towns and cities has doubled 
since 1890. In that same period the industries have devel- 
oped in a like proportion. The future is for Maine full of 
opportunity for its people if they grasp it, for others if they 
neglect it. 

It used to be a common saying that Maine is a good state 
to come from ! It should be the state's business to have it even 
more commonly said from this time on that Maine is a good 
state to go into and a still better place to stay. 

Suppose we take for our guide the following creed, learn it, 
remember it, and live according to it. 

A Maine Creed. I believe in Maine, its past, its present, 
and its future. I believe that the rugged contour of its coast, 
the majesty of its mountains, the grandeur of its hills, the beauty 
of its lakes, the power of its streams, the vastness of its forests, 
and the verdure of its fields were bestowed upon it by nature 
for the purpose of making it the home of the best people in the 
world. 

EXERCISE X 

1. What were three of the important early industries of Maine? 

2. Why were they all es.sential to the life of the settlers ? 

3. What was the type of our early agriculture ? Was it carried on 
successfully ? How were farms cleared ? Are any farms being cleared 
now? What is the general condition of the agricultural industry in 
Maine to-day? 

4. For what crops is Maine best adapted? What are the prin^ 
cipal ones? What ones are most important in your locality? Why 
those instead of others? What organizations for promoting agri- 
cultural interests are found in Maine ? What ones are active in youj* 
town? What do they do? 



160 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

5. How was the lumber business first carried on ? What changes 
took place when the demand increased and the local supply became 
less plentiful? What city developed into the world's leading lumber 
market ? What were the reasons ? 

6. How did Maine get the name by which it is so often called? 
Of what kind of lumber is there now the greatest supply? About 
how much is cut each year? What are the principal uses of soft wood 
lumber ? Of hard wood ? (See annual report of state forest com- 
missioner.) 

7. What are' the leading products of Maine coast fisheries? 
WTiere are the centers of the fishing industry? If it is of importance 
in your town, find out all you can about the value of the product and 
how many people are engaged in it. 

8. AVhat is the reason for Maine's great amount of water-power? 
Why is it of great importance to our state? How is a water-power 
developed? About how many horse power could be developed in 
Maine ? How many are now being utilized ? Where are some of the 
best water-powers that are now being utilized ? Is there any developed 
water power in your town ? Can you find out how much? For what 
is it being used? What are its leading uses in other places? For 
what purpose is water-power likely to be used in the future more than 
for any other? 

9. What is Maine*s greatest industry at the present time? What 
two things made its development possible? In what town was the 
first paper mill located? "\^liere are the largest pulp and paper mills 
located? Find the places on your map. What is Maine's position 
among the states in the amount of puljowood consumed and in the 
value of the product ? 

10. AVliere was the manufacture of cotton first begun in Maine? 
^Vllat are the leading textile centers? What is the number of opera- 
tives? Compare the size of the mills with those in other industries. 
How does the cotton industry in Maine compare with others in im- 
portance ? 

11. What great differences are there between cotton and woolen 
manufacture? How was the woolen industry carried on in the early 
days ? Is the number of mills as large to-day as at some other period ? 
How many are there now? 'Wliat is the number of employees? Is 
the business carried on in many parts of the state? Look up the 
principal woolen manufacturing towns on your map. 

12. How were boots and shoes first made? Is that method 



AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL MAINE 161 

followed now? What is the largest center for the industry? What 
othei' business is closely connected with the boot and shoe industry? 
To what extent did Maine engage in it ? Why has it declined ? What 
is the extent of distribution of shoe factories in Maine ? 

13. Why was Maine a natural shipbuilding state? What city is 
the greatest shipbuilding center? Is the business of great importance 
now? What is the greatest change that has taken place in the in- 
dustry and what effect did it have on Maine shipyards ? 

14. ^Yhsit are some of the other leading Maine industries? What 
is the most important one in your town or city? How many em- 
ploj^ees are engaged in it? Wliat other industries do you have? 
Have there ever been any others? ^Vliy are they not operating now? 

15. "Wliat minerals are found in Maine? Are any of them in 
great abundance? Have we any precious stones? 

16. What has been the history of the development of the summer 
resort business in Maine ? Why was it not of importance at an earlier 
date? Where are the principal resorts and what special attraction 
has each? What is one of the factors that has contributed to the 
development of the business in recent years? What phase of the 
business is of recent development? 

17. About hov/ many people from outside the state come to Maine 
each summer for recreation? In what ways is it of advantage to the 
state to receive this large number of visitors other than the financial 
return? What public policies have been adopted partly for the 
reason that they will increase the summer business in Maine and add 
to its attractiveness as a vacation state ? 

18. For what reasons do people come to Maine on pleasure trips dur- 
ing the spring and autumn as well as in the summer vacation period? 

19. What is a boys' or girls' summer camp? Do young people 
always come to them entirely for recreation? About how many such 
camps are there in Maine? 

20. There are more Maine-born people living in other states at 
the present time than are living in their native state. What effect 
has this had on Maine? What would have been the result if a large 
part of the money invested by Maine people in projects in other states 
had been invested in home industries? In what ways can we best 
serve in developing Maine's interests? Would there be likely to be 
any advantage or disadvantage to us in this course? What does the 
development of Maine in the last hundred years indicate relative to 
future possibilities for growth? 



162 MAINE GEOGRAPHY AND INDUSTRY 

21 . Write a brief statement of why Maine is a good state in which 
to live. 

Note to Teachers. Much information relative to the number of 
employees in Maine industries, the number of plants and the value of 
their product can be found in the annual report of the State Commissioner 
of Labor and Industry, State House, Augusta. 



PART III 
THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

CHAPTER I 
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 

What Civil Government Is. All boys and girls now in school 
will, before many years, take part in the affairs of government 
in the town or city in which they live. Not only will they be 
called upon to express opinions as to the manner in which things 
of public interest shall be done and to vote intelligently upon 
such matters, but they will also have a voice in the election of 
the officers who will administer public affairs, and they may 
themselves be elected or appointed to offices which involve 
a great deal of responsibility. It is important, then, that 
they know something about the way public business is con- 
ducted in the towns and cities of Maine as well as in the counties 
and in the state itself. There is altogether too little knowledge 
of these things among the people in general and a study of the 
more important points by the pupils in the schools will help to 
bring about a better understanding of the relations which exist 
between the people of the state and the officers who have 
charge of their public interests. 

In the first place, we must remember that each one of us is 
a part of the government of this countr3^ Our officers are 
elected or appointed to do the things that we ourselves have 
decided are necessary or desirable. They do not do things 
simply because they wish to do them, but because the people 
have decided that certain policies are best and have provided 
officers to see that their plans are carried out. Through the 
legislature laws have been adopted which represent the will 

163 



164 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

of the people, and these are the basis of all the acts of our public 
officials. For example, the superintendent of schools and the 
school committee do not see that schools are kept in session 
for a certain number of weeks each year simply because they 
desire it, but because the law requires that school privileges 
be provided and they have been elected to see that that par- 
ticular part of the public work is done. If the attendance 
officer finds that a boy is playing truant and takes him back 
to school, he does it not because he himself, or the teacher, or 
the superintendent has decided that he must go to school, but 
because the law requires it, and he has been appointed to carry 
out the provisions of the law. The law itself was made be- 
cause the people realize that if children do not go to school, but 
grow up in ignorance, they will not be able to meet the require- 
ments of good citizenship and will perhaps prove a menace to 
the welfare of other people. A little later we shall see how 
laws are made and how the persons who make them are chosen. 
We shall study first the organization of our own town or city 
government, find out how and by whom their business is con- 
ducted, note the manner in which their elections are held and 
how their officers are appointed, and learn what are the principal 
duties of these officers. Then we shall study the same things 
as they apply to the government of the counties and finally the 
very extensive activities of the state as a unit of government. 
We shall see that while very few of the officers about whom we 
learn are personally known to us, yet the work which they do 
is very closely connected with the lives of each one of us and 
has much to do with our safety, health, and happiness. Were 
it not for these officers and the work which they do, based upon 
the laws which the legislature has made, we should soon find 
it impossible to live in peace, to carry on our own work success- 
fully, or have many of the things which contribute to our 
enjoyment and prosperity. Without a well-organized govern- 
ment all the great natural resources of Maine would be of 
little value, because their development depends to a great 
extent upon reasonable assurance that money and labor in- 
vested in them will be protected. 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 165 

Section 1 
The Town 

The name given throughout New England to the geographical 
unit known elsewhere as the " township " is the " town." 
Hence in IVIaine a town is usually a fairly regular tract con- 
taining about thirty-six square miles, although many of them 
are very much smaller than this and still others are larger. 
A town may be made up of several villages with surrounding 
areas of agricultural land, or it may have only one village. 
Some towns have no village of any size and others have prac- 
tically no inhabited area outside of a center in which all the 
people are directly or indirectly concerned in a single manu- 
facturing industry. 

The town is a corporation, created by act of the legislature 
and given very broad powers, including that of levying taxes 
upon its residents for the purpose of meeting the expenses 
incident to the conducting of its public business. It is the 
smallest complete unit of government and embodies in its 
organization the machinery necessary to carry out the provisions 
made by state laws as they apply locally. The obligation 
of the citizen to the community is first made clear in the relation 
which he as an individual has to the town as a part of the 
larger units of government — the county, the state, and the 
nation. Through the town organization the people exercise 
all of the privileges and learn their duties as they relate to the 
country as a whole. The town, therefore, becomes the link 
which binds each of us as citizens to the whole great body of 
individuals who make up the nation. It gives opportunity 
for every one to assume a certain responsibility in public 
affairs. 

Town Meeting. Like the other New England states, Maine 
has a system of personal participation in the matters of local 
government through the coming together of all citizens at 
a central point in each town, at least once each year, for the 
purpose of transacting town business and electing officers. 



166 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

This annual town meeting has often been characterized as the 
purest form of democratic government, for here every voter, 
no matter what his station in hfe, meets every other voter on 
a basis of entire equality. The vote of one counts exactly 
as much as that of another, and each has the same privilege 
as has any other of addressing the meeting and making known 
his views. As a matter of practice, of course, there are some 
who are leaders because of superior qualities which give their 
words weight, but the policies advocated by them cannot be 
put into effect until a majority of the votes cast are recorded 
in favor. It is one of the disadvantages of this sort of govern- 
ment that a progressive policy, however worthy, may be 
defeated by those who are indifferent or actually opposed to 
advanced standards. On the other hand, the system serves 
as a safeguard against those who would seek to involve the 
town in difficulties through unwise appropriations or the 
adoption of some ill-advised or even pernicious scheme. 

It is frequently stated, some textbooks also making the 
assertion, that in New England the town meeting is one at 
which local laws for governing the citizens are made and 
adopted. This is not an exact statement of the situation. Only 
within the general provisions of the laws of the state may the 
town meeting take action and only in this sense can it be said 
to legislate. It may accept or reject certain propositions 
which the state law leaves in the hands of the voters for de- 
cision when two or more courses are left open. It may in- 
crease or diminish the amount of money to be raised by taxation 
for public purposes within the town. It may vote to close a 
school or build a road or install street lights, but it cannot, for 
example, vote that all or any part of the citizens of the town 
shall carry lanterns when they go out at night, or that children 
shall begin to go to school at three years of age, or that women 
in factories shall not be employed more than forty hom's per 
week, because the state law does not give towns authority to 
make such regulations even though the state itself might legally 
pass laws embodying any of the above requirements. It will 
be seen from these illustrations that towns do not have power 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 167 

to regulate the conduct of their citizens except as the general 
law confers the authority in specific instances, although by- 
laws may be adopted for purely local regulations when approved 
by the county commissioners or a judge of the Supreme 
Court. 

It is required that every town shall hold a meeting of its 
voters each year in the month of March. , Usually it occurs on 
the first or second Monday of the month, but some towns, for 
one reason or another, do not hold their meetings until as late 
as the last Monday. Before this annual meeting occurs, it is 
required that the principal town officers shall submit their 
reports for the fiscal year to the citizens. This usually takes 
the form of a printed statement showing in detail the financial 
condition of the town, the various items of receipts and ex- 
penditures, a report of the condition and progress of the schools 
of the town, the public library, if there is one, and any other 
public institution, a record of deaths, births, and marriages, and 
also the warrant containing the various matters upon which 
action is required at the coming meeting. 

When the selectmen have decided upon the date for the 
meeting a call is issued by them through a written notification 
addressed to a constable. He is directed in turn to notify the 
inhabitants of the town to come together at a certain date, 
hour, and place, which is usually a centrally located building 
erected by the town, for the purpose of transacting the business, 
which is listed later in the form of numbered articles or divisions. 
This is known as " the warrant for the meeting," and the person 
to whom it is addressed must post a copy of it in some con- 
spicuous public place in the town not less than a week before 
the date designated for the meeting to take place. Any article 
or item of business may be included in the warrant by the 
selectmen, either on their own initiative or by request of others, 
and they must also insert any other article submitted through 
written petition signed by not less than ten qualified voters. 
No business may be legally transacted at the meeting which 
is not definitely covered by an article in the warrant. 

The following is a typical form of town meeting warrant : 



168 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

To George Adams, a constable in the town of Danvers, in the county of 
Kennebec : 

Greeting : 

In the name of the State of Maine, you are hereby required to notify 
and warn the inhabitants of the town of Danvers, quahfied by law to 
vote in town affairs, to assemble at the Town House in said town, on 
Monday, the 17th day of March, 1919, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, 
to act on the following articles, to wit : 

Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting. 

Art. 2. To choose a Town Clerk for the ensuing year. 

Art. 3. To see if the town will accept the report as printed. 

Art. 4. To elect all necessary town officers for the ensuing year. 

Art. 5. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise 
and appropriate for the common schools. 

Art. 6. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for the high school. 

Art. 7. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise 
and appropriate for the support of the'poor. 

Art. 8. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate to be expended on the Pond road. 

Art. 9. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for the repair of highways and bridges. 

Art. 10. To see if the town will vote to raise the sum of 1533 for 
the improvement of the section of State Aid road, in addition to the 
amounts regularly raised for the care of waj^s, highways, and bridges. 

Art. 11. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for textbooks. 

Art. 12. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for apparatus and appliances for schools. 

Art. 13. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for the repair of school buildings. 

Art. 14. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for street lights. 

Art. 15. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for Memorial Day. 

Art. 16. To see if the town will vote to raise a sum of money for 
the suppression of tuberculosis. 

Art. 17. To see if the town will vote to raise a sum of money for 
providing for instruction in manual training and domestic science in 
the schools. {By petition.) 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 169 

Art. 18. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for the public library. 

Art. 19. To see if the town will vote to instruct the school com- 
mittee to maintain the school known as the Hewett school for the 
ensuing year. {Bij recommendation of the school committee.) 

Art. 20. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and 
appropriate for a payment on Bridge loan. 

Ai't. 21. To see if the town will vote to fix a time for the payment 
of taxes and to make a rate of interest to be added to taxes remaining 
unpaid at the time fixed by the town. 

The selectmen hereby give notice that they will be in session for 
the purpose of correcting and revising the list of voters at the Town 
House in said town, at 9 : 30 o'clock in the forenoon on the day of said 
meeting. 

Given under our hands this 10th day of March, a.d., 1919. 

James Duncan 
Henry Williams 
E. J. Mason 

Selectmen of Danvers. 

When the hour of meeting named in the warrant arrives, 
the assembled voters are called to order by the town clerk, who 
reads the warrant aloud and then proceeds to call for the 
election of a presiding officer, who is known as the moderator. 
He assumes the chair upon being sworn by the town clerk and 
from that time is charged with the duty of seeing that the 
remainder of the business is properly transacted in accordance 
with the procedure recognized by parliamentary law. The 
town clerk records all votes, and it is very important that 
these be in proper form, as the clerk's record may determine 
the legality of some action about which a question might arise 
sometime in the future. 

The other officers elected are selectmen, assessors, overseers 
of the poor, town clerk, treasurer, collector of taxes, auditor, 
all elected for one year, and a member of the school committee 
for three years. Officers such as constables, firewardens, 
fence-viewers, surveyors of logs and lumber, sealers of weights 
and measures, and a few others are usually appointed by the 
selectmen. The school attendance officers are elected by the 



170 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

school committee, the superintendent of schools by the joint 
committee made up of the members of the school committees 
of the towns included in that school supervisory union, and the 
road commissioner is appointed by the selectmen, if the town 
fails to elect. By vote of the town, two or three commissioners 
may be elected instead of one, or the selectmen may be in- 
structed to appoint not more than that number. 

The other business of the town meeting consists largely in 
voting to raise and appropriate the various amounts of money 
necessary to carry on the business of the town, such as school 
maintenance, road maintenance, support of poor, and provision 
for such other items as the meeting sees fit to authorize. 

Duties of Town Officers. The selectmen are the chief 
executive officers of the town and look after all matters not 
specifically placed by law in the hands of others. They ex- 
ercise a general jurisdiction over town affairs and no public 
funds may be paid out except by their order. They serve as 
the custodians of all town property except school buildings, 
frequently act as the assessors of taxes and overseers of the 
poor, make up the list of qualified voters and supervise elections, 
issue licenses to peddlers and others who require them, appoint 
minor officers not. elected by the town with the exception of 
school attendance officers, lay out roads voted by the town, and 
grant right of way on town land to public utilities such as 
telephone companies, water companies, railway or light and 
power companies. The selectmen may also serve as road 
commissioners. 

The town clerk in addition to recording the proceedings of 
the town meeting keeps record of all births, deaths, and mar- 
riages, issues marriage licenses, reports to the secretary of 
state the result of elections and such other information of 
minor importance as may be required Ijy other state officers. 

The assessors, who may be the selectman or others, make an 
annual inventory of all property in the town, real estate and 
personal, and estimate its value as a basis for taxation. They 
assess the tax — state, county, and local — and make returns 
of the valuation to the state assessors. The statement of the 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 171 

amount of tax thus assessed against each indi vicinal, both 
resident and non-resident, and each corporation holding 
property in the town is then entered upon the town books. 

Tlie tax collector is given a copy of the tax assessment and 
his duty is to see that the amount due is paid. If not paid 
before a certain date, the collector must advertise the property 
for sale to a sufficient amount to meet the demand upon it. 

The treasurer, who may also be the tax collector, receives 
all money paid as taxes and for licenses or that coming from 
the state or other sources, and pays the bills against the town, 
but only on written order from the selectmen. 

The road commissioners, of whom there may be one or 
more than one, have charge of the construction and repair of 
all ro^ds and bridges, including the removal of snow in winter. 
They are also expected to see that all state laws relating to the 
care of roads and bridges are complied with and such action 
taken promptly as may be necessary to render them at all times 
safe for travel. 

The school committee, consisting usually of three members, 
has general charge of all school affairs, the custody and care 
of school buildings and other property, the election of attend- 
ance officers, and, in conjunction with members of other 
towns' committees, the election of a superintendent of schools. 
We have already considered their duties in detail in a preceding 
chapter on education. 

The superintendent of schools is the agent and secretary of 
the school committee. His powers and duties have also been 
outlined in the same chapter noted above. 

The board of health usually consists of three members who 
are appointed by the selectmen. A local health officer is 
required to be appointed in every town by the selectmen and he 
may be either an ex-officio member of the board of health and 
executive officer of it, or, if the selectmen so decide, may take 
the place of and supersede the board. He may be employed 
for full or part time and if the former then one-third of his 
salary, not to exceed eight hundred dollars a year, may be paid 
by the state provided he is a graduate of a recognized medical 



172 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

school or other institution of standard grade for the training of 
public health administrators. All local health officers perform 
their duties under the direction of the state department of health 
and are required to assist in reporting, preventing, and suppress- 
ing diseases and all conditions dangerous to health. Subject to 
the approval of the state health commissioner, several adjoining 
towns may unite in employing the same local health officer, 
who must have the qualifications above mentioned or be ap- 
proved by the state health commissioner on the basis of ex- 
perience in public health administration. Such officers, when 
so employed, must devote full time to the work and receive 
one-third of their salary, not to exceed eight hundred dollars 
a year, from the state. 

The duties of the board of health and local health officer 
include guarding against the introduction and spread of con- 
tagious diseases through isolation and quarantine of persons 
infected ; inspection and removal of nuisances and conditions 
detrimental to life and health ; the adoption of by-laws where 
necessary for the proper preservation of health, such by-laws 
to be approved by a justice of the supreme court ; the cleansing 
and disinfecting of premises in which contagious disease has 
existed ; the excluding of children from school and the closing 
of school if necessary on account of disease conditions ; the 
furnishing of and contracting for supplies of antitoxins, and 
all other matters pertaining to the preservation of public 
health either by local action or in conjunction with the state 
department of health. 

The minor officers previously enumerated have charge of 
such other town affairs as require special officers, and their 
duties are well indicated by their titles. A few towns have 
other officers for special pm'poses and in these cases their titles 
usually give a clue to the character of their duties. 

The Plantation. When a township has too few people to 
make it advisable for it to become incorporated and assume all 
the obligations of a full-fledged town, the plantation organiza- 
tion is frequently adopted. The organization is brought about 
by a petition of three or more inliiabitants who are qualified to 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 173 

vote addressed to the county commissioners, who then notify 
the inhabitants to meet for the purpose of organizing and if at 
the meeting a majority are in favor of the project, an election 
of officers is held. The secretary of state is then notified in 
proper form of the action taken and the plantation is thence- 
forth recognized. 

At the annual plantation meeting officers are elected and 
money raised as in towns. The plantation may provide for all 
the items upon which a town c'an take action. The assessors 
serve in the place of selectmen in all plantations. No state or 
county taxes are levied upon plantations unless by direction 
of the legislature, but the state school tax of three mills is 
required to be raised in all cases. 

Whenever any township has two hundred inhabitants it must 
hold a meeting to determine the will of the people relative to 
organization as a plantation. By order of the county com- 
missioners notice of such a m6eting is posted and when proper 
action is taken the plantation becomes liable for all local taxes 
the same as towns. But it is not required to maintain roads, 
nor must it support its poor unless it has a valuation of at least 
one hundred thousand dollars, in which case it is liable for 
pauper support the same as in towns. 

The Unorganized Township. There are still about four 
hundred townships in the state of Maine which are either 
entirely uninhabited or have so few legal residents that no 
form of organization for local government is maintained. If 
there are roads, they are maintained by the county, while in 
those which have families with children of school age the state 
furnishes school privileges either by maintaining a school or by 
sending the children into other towns. As there is no ma- 
chinery of government, the qualified voters can exercise their 
privilege only by going into another town for that purpose. 
Either the state or county government has jurisdiction over 
all matters which involve the public welfare. All this large area 
may eventually be settled as the population of the state be- 
comes greatly increased, and in that event the addition of 
many organized plantations may result. 



174 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

EXERCISE XI 

1. How do the voters of a town determine its policies? What are 
the rights of all voters when they assemble in annual meeting? How 
much power does each voter have? 

2. What are the powers of the voters so far as legislation is con- 
cerned ? Name some things they can do and some which they cannot do. 

3. When must towns hold their annual meetings? What is a 
town report? What does it contain? Get a copy of one and note 
the form of report of the different items. 

4. What is a warrant? What are its different divisions called? 
Who determines what shall be included in the warrant? If you 
should want the town to take action on some matter, how would you 
proceed to bring it before the town meeting? 

5. How is the meeting opened? What is the usual order of 
business? What officers are elected and what ones more often ap- 
pointed? What other business is considered? For what purposes 
are funds usually voted? 

6. How many selectmen are elected? What are their duties? 
What rights have they in managing town affairs? 

7. What are the duties of the town clerk? The assessors? Tax 
collector? Treasurer? Road commissioner? School committee? 
Board of health or health officer? Other officers? 

8. Find out if possible what differences there are between the way 
the business of your town is conducted and the methods adopted in 
other towns you may know about. i 

9. Why is it sometimes advisable for a place to be organized as 
a plantation instead of being incorporated as a town? What pro- 
cedure is followed in organizing a plantation ? How is a town incor- 
porated? Where are the records of the plantation organization kept? 

10. What special difference is there between a town and a plan- 
tation as to officers ? Is a plantation required to support its poor ? 

11. What is an unorganized township? How many are there? 
How is government carried on in them ? 

Section II 

The City 

Cities are incorporated under the provisions of special 
charters granted by the legislature. In this charter is specifi- 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 175 

cally laid down the regulations under which the city government 
shall be administered, the powers and duties of officers, and the 
rights and privileges of the city as a corporation. The pro- 
visions of the charter may be such as to supersede in certain 
matters the general laws of the state but only when such matters 
are specifically mentioned. For example, while the general law 
provides that school committees shall consist of three members, 
a cit}^ charter may provide for a board of education with any 
number of members. 

The City Charter. There is no general law referring to the 
requirements which must be met before a town in Maine may 
be granted a city charter. Neither size nor valuation of property 
is a determining factor. As a matter of fact a city is usually 
larger in both than a town, but there are, on the other hand, 
several towns which have a larger population and a higher 
valuation than some of the cities. Sanford, Brunswick, 
Rumford, Houlton, and Presque Isle are examples of towns 
which are larger than several of the cities. The only require- 
ment to meet when a town wishes to adopt the city form of 
government is that an act of the legislature be secured, granting 
the charter. At subsequent sessions of the legislature the 
charter may be amended if desirable. The charter is sub- 
mitted to the people of the proposed city for their vote as to 
its adoption, and if the action is favorable, the new city 
organization is put into effect. 

Organization of City Government. The usual form of 
government in a city is one which has a mayor as the chief 
officer and a city council, made up of aldermen as one branch 
of it and councilmen as the other. The city is divided into 
wards or districts, and each is represented on the city council 
by an alderman and by two or more councilmen. Some city 
councils are made up of only one group instead of two. The 
mayor and council are elected by popular vote and they are 
responsible for the transaction of city business. The funda- 
mental difference between a town and a city is that, in the 
former, all the people may have a voice in town affairs at town 
meeting, while, in the latter, the people delegate this power to 



176 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

the representatives whom they elect to the council and have 
no further choice than to accept the policies which thesis repre- 
sentatives adopt. The government of the town is entirely- 
democratic while that of the city is representative. The 
council decides what appropriations shall be made and for 
what purposes, thus determining the amount of taxes which 
shall be assessed. It has general charge of all public activities 
of the city except that usually the schools are required to be 
managed by the board of education, entirely separate from 
the council^ except so far as financial matters are concerned. 
In this particular activity there are instances, as in the city of 
Augusta, where the people themselves retain the appropriation 
of money for school purposes in their own hands and hold a 
public meeting of the voters each year for the purpose of fixing 
the amount to be raised by taxation for school maintenance, 
as well as to decide upon extensions by the erection of new 
buildings or enlargement and repair of those already in use. 
The charter may also specify other affairs which are to be 
managed in some other manner than by the council. 

It is usual for the mayor to have the appointment of a large 
number of city officials, such as the chief of the fire department, 
city marshal or other head of the police force, and city physician. 
Because of the fact that each city has its own charter which 
may differ from that of any other, it is impossible to enumerate 
city officers or the manner of their appointment or election in 
any general way. Cities must, however, have officers whose 
duties include those of a treasurer, auditor, clerk, assessor and 
collector of taxes, health officers, and many others of minor 
importance. The board of education is elected by popular vote 
and in turn elects a superintendent of schools either for that 
city alone, or, if there are less than fifty schools, the superin- 
tendent is elected to serve the city and one or more adjoining 
towns by a joint committee representing each municipality. 
Other officers not previously mentioned may include a city 
engineer, commissioners of streets, parks, water, burials, public 
works, wharves, and many other public interests, depending 
somewhat upon the size and location of the city. Another 



LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 177 

officer is the city solicitor, who has charge of any affairs of a 
legal nature in which the city government is concerned. 

Other Forms of City Government. Two other forms of city 
government should be mentioned which are of more or less 
recent adoption. 

The first is the commission form in which the greater part 
of the administrative work of the city is placed in the hands of 
one board, which is responsible for the management of city 
affairs in much the same way that a board of directors manages 
the affairs of a business concern. The second is the city 
manager form in which one paid executive is placed in charge 
and is expected to direct all public business and be responsible 
for results just as is the case with a general manager or presi- 
dent of a corporation. Both of these forms of government 
are based on the principle that a city is largely a business 
organization and should be administered as such, rather than 
by a system of political preferment with one part of the people 
opposed to the policies of the other part. Up to this time 
Maine has had only slight experience with either of these forms 
of city government, but if they prove satisfactory in practice 
it is likely that they will be further adopted. 

EXERCISE XII 

1. How is a city incorporated ? What is its charter? 

2. When a town wishes to become a city how does it proceed? 
What requirements have to be met as to population and valuation? 
What do the people of the city have to say about the question of the 
charter and can they prevent its becoming effective? 

3. How is a city government usually organized? What is the 
difference between the town and city form of government? What 
powers do individual voters have in the government of the city? 
What is the city council and what are its powers ? WTiat determines 
them? 

4. What are the powers and duties of the mayor? How is he 
elected? What part of the city does he represent? 

5. What is the method of electing the members of the city council? 
What part of the city does each one represent ? What is a ward ? 



178 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

6. What is meant by the commission form of city government? 
What is a city manager ? Wliat are said to be the advantages of 
these forms of government? 

7. Why should the government of one city be organized differently 
from that of another? Why is it necessary for some cities to have 
certain officers which others do not have ? 

8. Compare the school system of a city with that of a rural town. 
In what ways are there differences in the two so far as their manage- 
ment is concerned? 

9. Find out how the government of your city is organized and what 
the powers and duties of its different officers are. See if you can find 
out the difference between the government of your city and that of 
some other in the state. 



CHAPTER II 
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

Relative Importance of the County as a Unit. In many states 
the county is a highly important unit of government. The 
state government works largely through the county organiza- 
tion, which is regarded by the people as being their closest 
connection with the governmental machinery. In Maine, 
however, as in the other New England states, the town form of 
organization for control of local affairs has become so strongly 
identified with the life of the people in their relations with the 
state that the county, except in the one item of the adminis- 
tration of justice, has been relegated to a position in which it 
is conceived as being little more than a mere geographical 
division. While it is true that the county occupies a relatively 
subordinate place in Maine affau-s, yet some of the most im- 
portant matters with which the citizens have to deal are carried 
out with the county as the admmistrative unit. 

In every county there is a town or city which is headquarters 
for the county government. It is called the shire town or 
county seat. Here are located the county buildings, including 
the courthouse and jail. All the county officers usually have 
their offices in the courthouse. The shire towns of the several 
Maine counties are as follows : Androscoggin, Auburn ; Aroos- 
took, Houlton ; Cumberland, Portland ; Franklin, Farmington ; 
Hancock, Ellsworth ; Kennebec, Augusta ; Knox, Rockland ; 
Lincoln, Wiscasset; Oxford, Paris; Penobscot, Bangor; 
Piscataquis, Dover ; Sagadahoc, Bath ; Somerset, Skowhegan ; 
Waldo, Belfast ; Washington, Macliias ; York, Alfred. 

The County Commissioners. A board of county commis- 
sioners, three in number, is elected by popular vote. The 
term of office is six years and it is arranged so that one member 

179 



180 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

is elected every two years at the time of the regular state 
election in September. These commissioners have general 
administrative charge of county affairs. They have the care 
of all county property including buildings; make estimates 
of the amount of money necessary to carry on the county 
business ; see that taxes are assessed to provide these funds, 
and have supervision of their expenditure. They have au- 
thority to lay out new roads and determine their location under 
certain circumstances, and in unincorporated townships have 
general charge of all roads. In some cases they sit as a court 
of appeal where land damage for public work is in dispute. 

Treasurer. All county funds are received and disbursed by 
the county treasurer who is elected by vote of the people for 
four years. He is the custodian of the money received from 
town treasurers from the assessment of county taxes and also- 
of the fees and fines paid to other county officers. 

Register of Deeds. One of the most important officers of 
the county is the register of deeds, who is elected for four years. 
He is charged with the duty of recording all deeds in the transfer 
of property and also records all mortgages. When we re- 
member how many disputes arise over titles to land, we can see 
how important it is that the records of the register of deeds be 
very accurate and so arranged as to make it possible to find 
every item which has been entered in his books over a long 
period of years. The same applies to mortgages and attach- 
ments. Many times people neglect to have a deed or mortgage 
recorded and this is frequently the cause of much misunder- 
standing and of many lawsuits in case the original document is 
lost or destroyed. It is of equal importance that the discharge 
of a mortgage be recorded. Failure to do this may result in 
great difficulty when a clear title to property is desired many 
years after a mortgage has been paid in case record of its pay- 
ment cannot be found. 

Sheriff. Another county officer who has very important 
duties is the sheriff. He has charge of the jail and is responsible 
for the conduct of those violators of the law who have been 
committed to jail as a punishment for their offenses. He is 



THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 181 

the general executive officer of the court, has the power to arrest 
criminals, and serves all kinds of legal papers upon those who 
are involved in difficulties with the law. In case a crime is 
committed within the county, the sheriff often acts in the role 
of a detective, and it is his duty to use every possible means to 
find out who was responsible for the crime and bring him to 
justice. To assist him in the work of his office he usually 
appoints deputies to act locally in each town. When court 
convenes in his county, the sheriff is present and has charge 
of many matters in connection with the trial of both civil and 
criminal cases. 

County Attorney. Closely connected with the work of the 
sheriff is that of the county attorney, who is the prosecuting 
lawyer and represents the state and county in all criminal 
cases which come before the court. He is elected every two 
years by popular vote. Upon complaint and after due notice 
and hearing, the governor and council may remove a county 
attorney who has been delinquent in performing his duties. 

Clerk of Courts. A clerk of courts is elected by vote of the 
people to serve for a term of four years. He keeps all court 
records and papers and is responsible for having them avail- 
able for reference at any time when it is necessary to consult 
them. 

Judge and Register of Probate. The duties of the judge of 
probate, who is also a county officer, are discussed in that part 
of this book which deals with the work of the judges of other 
courts. He has an assistant, known as the register of probate, 
who is elected for a four-year term and who keeps all records of 
the probate court, including the settlement of the estates of 
deceased persons and the appointment of guardians. 

Medical Examiners. To assume in general the authority 
formerly vested in coroners, there are now in each county one 
or more medical examiners appointed by the governor. It is 
their duty to make examination of the bodies of persons who 
are supposed to have met death by violence. They are re- 
quired, after making the examination, to put in writing every 
fact and circumstance tending to show the cause and manner 



182 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

of death and to notify the county attorney and attorney general 
in such cases as the evidence seems to show the cause to have 
been one of violence. 

Probation Officer. Authority is vested in the governor to 
appoint a probation officer for such counties as he may deem 
necessary. They have supervision particularly ovei' minors 
who have committed some offense but whose misdemeanors 
are not such as to seem to warrant imprisonment, and other 
persons who have been found guilty of an offense but whose 
sentence has been suspended during good behavior. Such 
persons are required to report to the probation officer at stated 
intervals in order that some record may be kept of their goings 
and comings and the way in which they are fulfilling their 
obligations to conduct themselves properly. 

EXERCISE XIII 

1. How does the county in Maine compare in importance with 
counties in some other states? 

2. What is the county seat? What is located there? Where is 
your county seat? 

3. What are the chief county officers? What are their duties? 
How are they elected and for what term ? Where do they have their 
offices ? 

4. Why is it important that deeds and mortgages be recorded ? 

5. For what purpose is a jail maintained? Who has charge of it? 

6. Is there a probation officer in your county? Where does he 
make his headquarters ? Does he devote all of his time to his official 
business ? 



CHAPTER III 
HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 

Section I 
The Departments of Government 

The functions of government in Maine, as in the other states 
of the union, and in fact as in the United States also, are 
vested in three distinct departments. We have: (1) the legis- 
lative department, which makes the laws ; (2) the judicial 
department, which interprets and explains the laws, determining 
just how they apply and whether or not any of them have been 
violated in cases where the question arises ; and (3) the executive 
department, which carries out and enforces the laws. The 
legislative department consists of the Senate and House of 
Representatives and is usually referred to as the legislature. 
The judicial department includes the judges and the courts of 
several different classes. The executive department is made 
up of elected or appointed officers, each one charged with the 
duty of carrjang into effect some particular part of the laws. 
No one of these departments can be said to be more important 
than another, but it naturally comes about that the executive 
branch is more active than either of the others because there 
is no time when its officers are not engaged in some of their 
duties, while the legislature meets under ordinary circumstances 
only once in two years for a period of three or four months and 
the courts are in session only at stated intervals. 

The Constitution. All of the departments are organized 
and carry on their work subject to the provisions of the state 
constitution which was adopted at the time Maine became a 
state. It is simply a general statement which sets forth the 
principles of government by the people, enumerates certain 

183 



184 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

broad rights and duties of citizens, fixes the functions of the 
three departments above named, and confers authority upon 
them. The legislature cannot enact any law which is contrary 
to the provisions of the constitution, no executive can assume 
any authority in contravention of it, and only the courts of the 
state can decide that any act is or is not a violation of it. It 
is held to be the great fundamental law and can be changed 
only by a two-thirds vote of both houses of the legislature 
followed by a majority vote of those voting at either a regular 
or special state election in September. 

The Broadening Sphere of State Activity. The functions 
and activities of the state government are extremely broad. 
During the past few years the tendency has been greatly to 
enlarge the duties and responsibilities of state officials and to 
centralize authority to a degree in their hands. The fields in 
which the state government operates have also been greatly 
increased in number and extent. Two ideas have been upper- 
most in this general extension of state activity. The first has 
been a greater degree of cooperation with the towns for the 
purpose of improving local conditions by means of state financial 
aid and the furnishing of expert advice and assistance ; the 
second has been the fixing of standard requirements in order 
to meet the demands of a more advanced social and economic 
program. The first is illustrated by the laws providing state 
aid for highway construction and for various educational 
activities ; the second by those laws limiting the hours of 
employment of women, prohibiting child labor except under 
certain conditions, establishing a commission for the regulation 
of public utilities, and another for the adjustment of compen- 
sation for industrial accidents. There has been comparatively 
little encroachment upon the prerogatives of local self-govern- 
ment, but it is evident that the drift is in that direction. It 
is only fair to state, however, that the benefits accruing to the 
citizens of the towns as a whole from the more effective methods 
and the greatly enlarged plan which it is possible for the state 
organization to adopt, more than offset any possible injury to 
local pride from a slight loss in the completeness of control of 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 185 

their own affairs. There is probably no state whose people are 
more jealous of their rights in the management of town business 
than those of Maine. It is to their credit that they have been 
willing to allow a sufficient amount of centralization to make 
possible a state-wide program along several lines which will 
be later discussed. Nor is there the slightest room for doubt 
as to the dispatch with which a return to a more absolutely 
democratic system would be made upon the presentation of 
convincing evidence that it is necessary for the preservation 
of Maine's ideals. 

The Make-up of State Government. The legislative 
department consists of two divisions, the House of Repre- 
sentatives and the Senate, each having its own officers and 
clerical assistants. In the House there are one hundred fifty- 
one members. They are elected by direct vote of the people 
to serve for two years. The smaller towns are grouped to- 
gether into what are called legislative classes every ten years, 
after the census has been taken, and each of these groups or 
classes is entitled to elect one representative. The groups are 
made up, so far as possible, to include about the same number of 
inhabitants in each one, without dividing towns. The con- 
stitution fixes fifteen hundred persons as the minimum number 
to be entitled to a representative in the House, but in practice 
the number is much larger than that. The average number of 
inhabitants represented by one member is about five thousand, 
but as there can never be more than seven members from any 
town or city, however large, because the constitution forbids 
it, it will be seen that one member may represent many more 
than five thousand people while another may represent many 
less than that number. A member must be at least twenty- 
one years of age, must have been a citizen of the United States 
for five years and of Maine for one year, and must have been 
a resident for three months of the town or district from which 
he is elected. The House elects a presiding officer, who is 
known as the speaker, and other minor officers whose duties 
will be later mentioned. , 

The Senate consists of thirty-one members, also elected by 



186 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

popular vote for a term of two years. Senators must be 
twenty-five years of age and otherwise have the same quah- 
fications as representatives. Each county has at least one 
member of the Senate while no county has more than four, the 
number being determined on the basis of population in each 
county, although no specific number of people is designated. 
The presiding officer of the Senate is known as the president. 
He and the other officers are elected by vote of the members. 
The compensation of each member of both House and Senate 
is four hundred dollars for the regular session in addition to 
twenty cents for each mile traveled in going from his home 
to Augusta. The rate of compensation may be changed by 
the enactment of a law at any session of the legislature, but 
does not become effective during that session. 

The judicial department, consisting of the judges and the 
courts, is made up of the supreme judicial court of which there 
are eight justices, one known as the chief justice, all ap- 
pointed by the governor with the approval of the council, to 
hold office for seven years ; the superior courts, which have 
jurisdiction only within the county, have a judge appointed 
for seven years and exist only in Cumberland, Androscoggin, 
Kennebec, and Penobscot counties where the amount of legal 
business is deemed by the legislature sufficient to warrant the 
establishing of these local courts ; the probate court for each 
county, consisting of a judge and register of probate; the 
municipal courts, in which the judge has jurisdiction over a 
single town or city or such district as is designated by the 
legislative act establishing the court; the courts held by trial 
justices who may pass upon minor offenses and civil suits 
within their counties. In addition to those above named 
there are also notaries public and justices of the peace who are 
regarded as part of the judicial department, although having 
no power as judges. All of these officers are appointed by the 
governor and council, with the exception of the judge and 
register of probate, who are elected by popular vote of the 
people, in each county. 

The executive department is headed by the governor and 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED' 187 

his executive council of seven members. The governor is 
elected every two years by popular vote of all the voters of the 
state, while his council is elected by the legislature. Not more 
than one councilor may come from any one district designated 
as a unit for the election of state senators, and in practice a 
councilor is chosen for a district composed of two or more 
counties except in the cases of Cumberland and York, each of 
which is always represented on account of their greater density 
of population. The members of the legislature from each 
councilor district nominate their candidate for election by joint 
ballot of the legislature. 

Other state officers include the state auditor, who is the only 
one besides the governor elected by the voters of the state ; the 
state treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general, and commis- 
sioner of agriculture, all of whom are elected by the legislature ; 
the state librarian, state superintendent of public schools, 
insurance commissioner, land agent and forest commissioner, 
superintendent of buildings and grounds, bank commissioner, 
board of state assessors, commissioner of health, commissioner of 
fish and game, commissioner of labor and industry, live stock 
sanitary commissioner, public utilities commissioners, and 
commissioners of industrial accidents, all of whom are appointed 
by the governor and council ; the state highway commission, 
and the state board of charities and corrections, both having 
their members appointed by the governor and council, but 
each doing little active executive work and acting through an 
executive secretary whom they elect and who is virtually the 
head of the department. Several other boards having control 
of different state institutions are also appointed by the governor 
and council, and their status will be later considered. 

When the Legislature Meets. The legislature is required 
by the constitution to convene every other year on the first 
Wednesday in January following the election of its members 
in September. Up to 1881 annual sessions were required by 
the constitution. The session is held at the state house in 
Augusta. Each branch has its own hall in which to meet and 
transact its business. The first business is the election of 



188 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

officers prior to the session. Each political party has nominated 
its candidate for each office and, of course, the candidates of 
the party having the majority of members are chosen. The 
two branches meet separately and organize by the choice of a 
presiding officer for each and such minor attendants as door- 
keepers, messengers, and pages. The House chooses a clerk 
and assistant clerk, while the Senate makes choice of a secretary 
and assistant secretary. Having thus organized, the two 
branches meet in joint session and elect the state treasurer, 
attorney general, secretary of state, and commissioner of 
agriculture, as well as the seven members of the governor's 
council. 

The next business is the inauguration of the governor-elect. 
He is notified that the Senate and House are in session and 
await his appearance. Immediately the procession is formed 
and he, with his council, proceeds to the hall and is escorted to 
the front of the room where the secretary of state reads the 
result of the election returns, declares the election of governor, 
and administers the oath of office. The governor then delivers 
to the legislators his inaugural address in which he outlines 
what he believes to be the particular matters which they should 
especially consider during the session and sets forth his recom- 
mendations relative to action which should be taken for the 
best interests of the state. The legislature is not bound to 
follow these recommendations, but the influence of the governor 
is such that any policy which he supports is likely to receive 
very careful attention. 

A recess is usually taken after the first organization of the 
legislature and the inauguration of the governor in order that 
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House may 
make up the several committees to which will be referred for 
preliminary consideration most of the bills which are introduced 
during the session. These committees are composed of ten 
members each, seven from the House and three from the Senate. 
Their work is very important and great care is necessary in 
selecting them so that each one may, so far as possible, consist 
of those who are best fitted to pass upon the measures which 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 189 

come before them. The committees are designated as follows : 
judiciary, legal affairs, education, public health, appropriations 
and financial affairs, banks and banking, agriculture, ways and 
bridges, inland fisheries and game, claims, pensions, labor, 
taxation, federal relations, military affairs, railroads and 
expresses, telegraphs and telephones, commerce, mercantile 
affairs and insurance, manufactures, interior waters, state lands 
and forest preservation, sea and shore fisheries, counties, towns, 
Indian affairs, insane hospitals, state school for boys and state 
school for girls, state prison, library, mines and mining, temper- 
ance, public buildings and grounds, school for feeble minded, 
reference of bills, and salaries and fees. 

How Laws Are Made. After the several committees are 
appointed and are organized by choice of a chairman and 
secretary, the legislature is ready to begin the work of making 
laws. We can perhaps best understand the rather intricate 
process necessary to fulfill all the requirements by following 
through each step and noting very briefly how progress is made. 
We shall not undertake to describe the various parliamentary 
difficulties which may be encountered, since that would be 
altogether too tedious, but we will assume that there are no 
unusual obstacles thrown in the way of our law as it passes 
through the legislative machinery. 

In the first place we have what is called a " bill," which is 
nothing more than a written statement, in legal form, of what 
we desire to have enacted into law. It is usually written on 
a special blank form provided for the purpose and having at the 
top the title of the bill, or " act," as it is officially termed, which 
might be, for example, "An Act to Increase the Minimum Length 
of the School Year. ' ' Every act then begins thus, "Beit enacted 
by the people of the State of Maine as follows : " and then comes 
the text of the act itself. The name of the member of the legis- 
lature who is to sponsor the measure is then placed upon it, 
and it is dropped into a box in front of the desk of the speaker 
of the House or the president of the Senate. The next day 
it is taken out by the secretary or clerk and brought to the 
attention of the House or Senate. This is called " introducing " 



190 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

the bill. It is required that a bill for raising revenue must be 
introduced in the House and not in the Senate. The member 
in whose name it is introduced then moves that it be referred 
to some committee for consideration and report. The motion 
is usually carried unless there is some special reason why it 
should more properly go to some other committee. In the case 
of a bill such as we have mentioned, pertaining to schools, it 
would be referred to the committee on education. It might 
also be ordered printed at the same time so that every one 
interested could have a copy of it. 

Our bill then goes to the committee and is advertised for 
hearing on a certain date. At that time opportunity is given 
for those in favor of the measure to appear and present argu- 
ments for it, while those opposed may register their reasons for 
disapproval. The committee then votes upon it and if it con- 
siders it a wise act, it reports that it " ought to pass," otherwise 
that it " ought not to pass," or they may report that it " ought 
to pass in new draft " with some changes which the committee 
thinks would improve it. 

If the report is favorable, the bill is then brought before the 
branch in which it was introduced, is read, and is open for 
debate. Should no particular opposition develop, the bill is 
given two readings, if in the Senate, and three if in the House, 
two of which are usually by title only, and it is then passed 
"to be engrossed." This means that it is sent along to be 
printed in large type and in final form for enactment into law 
and signature by the proper officers. It then comes back and 
must go through the same process in the other branch of the 
legislature and is finally passed "to be enacted." The sig- 
natures of the president of the Senate and the speaker of the 
House are attached to it and it then goes to the governor for 
his signature, if he approves, or his veto. Should he veto it, 
that is, decline to sign it, he returns it to the legislature with 
his reasons for doing so. It then requires a two-thirds vote of 
the members of each house to pass the bill and make it a law 
without his signature. But if the governor is favorable to the 
bill becoming a law, he signs it and it is then deposited in the 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 191 

hands of the secretary of state for permanent safe-keeping. 
Should he neither sign it nor veto it within five days, it becomes 
a law without his signature. 

Referendum and Initiative. A bill, however, cannot become 
a part of the state law, even after it has passed through all the 
regular processes mentioned above, until ninety days after the 
legislature adjourns for the session unless it is an emergency 
measure and is passed as such by vote of two-thirds of the 
legislature. The reason for this delay is that the state con- 
stitution provides that any act may be subjected to a referen- 
dum by all the voters of the state and must be approved by 
a majority of those voting upon it at an election called for that 
purpose. If ten thousand voters sign petitions within the 
ninety days after the legislature adjourns, asking that a state- 
wide vote be taken on any act, then it must be brought before 
the people for decision and during that time its provisions 
cannot become effective. 

Another amendment to the constitution adopted at the same 
time as that providing for the referendum is one which allows 
twelve thousand voters to sign a petition asking that the 
legislature enact any legislation specified in the petition. If 
the legislature fails to enact the law without change, then it 
must be referred to the voters by referendum as stated above. 
This provision is known as the " initiative." 

It must not be inferred that the above description covers 
all the processes of legislation. In reality it includes only a 
small part of them, but it is sufficient to give a general idea of 
the way in which laws are made. Bills which provide appro- 
priations of state money are called " resolves," and the method 
of passing them is much the same as that for public laws such 
as we have considered. The number of acts and resolves 
passed at each session of the legislature varies greatly, and the 
length of the sessions likewise varies also, but it is usually 
about three months. At a recent session, for instance, the 
legislature passed 514 acts and 119 resolves, w^hich, however, 
represented only a small part of the total number intro- 
duced. 



192 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

EXERCISE XIV 

1 . What are the three departments of state government ? What is 
the purpose of each? Of what does each consist? Which is most 
important ? 

2. What is the state constitution? Who has authority to in- 
terpret it? How can it be changed ? If you can get a copy of it, you 
should read and study its principal provisions. 

3. What is the extent of the operations of the state government? 
What ideas have been especially evident in the extension of state 
activity during the past few years? Give illustrations. Does the 
state government interfere with that of towns and cities ? 

4. Describe the make-up of the legislature. What group of 
people does a member of the House represent ? Of the Senate ? How 
many representatives and how many senators are there? What 
officers does each house have? How are they chosen? What is the 
presiding officer of each branch called? What compensation does 
each member receive? Who is your representative? Your senator? 

5. How many different kinds of courts are there? What is the 
jurisdiction of each? In what places are sessions of each court 
held? Wliat special duties has the supreme court? How are judges 
chosen ? 

6. Who is at the head of the executive department of the state ? 
How is he elected? Who are his advisers? How many members 
are there and how are they chosen ? 

7. Name several other state officers. Who is the present gov- 
ernor? Who are some of the other officers? Do any of them come 
from your town or city ? Where do they have their offices ? 

8. When and where does the legislature meet? What four state 
officers does it choose? When is the governor inaugurated? What 
is the governor's message? What is its purpose? Must the legis- 
lature follow his recommendations? Wliat are legislative com- 
mittees ? What are some of the important ones ? 

9. What is a "bill" ? How is it introduced? To whom is it 
referred? What is then done with it? After the committee has 
considered it, what action does it take? What takes place when a bill 
is "engrossed " ? Who signs the bill after it has been passed to become 
a law? Wliat happens if the governor fails to sign it? 

10. How long after the governor has attached his signature must a 
law wait to go into effect? Why? How is the referendum brought 
about? 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 193 

11, What is the initiative ? How does it operate ? 

12. What is a "resolve " ? What is the usual length of a legislative 
session ? 

Section II 

The Work of the Courts 

The eight members of the supreme judicial court of the state 
are in session at three different times during each year for the 
purpose of deciding upon the interpretation of laws passed by 
the legislature or included in the common law, and about which 
questions as to their application may have arisen. When 
thus in session, the justices compose what is known as the law 
court. The individual justices also hold court in the different 
counties at certain times each year, and at these sessions civil 
and criminal cases are brought up for trial before the judge 
and a jury of twelve men who hear the evidence presented 
and decide what, in their opinion, is proper disposition of the 
cases. These may be cases which have already been tried in 
the lower courts and have been appealed from them to the 
supreme court, or they may come to the supreme court in the 
first place without previous trial. It is not usual for any case 
to come before the supreme court on appeal unless it is of 
considerable importance. 

The supreme court, when called upon to decide questions 
of law interpretation, has final authority and, whatever its 
decision, the people must abide by it and the law is henceforth 
held to mean what the court has said it means, regardless of 
differences of opinion which may have prevailed before the 
decision was reached. It is easy to see, therefore, how very 
important it is that these justices be men of the best legal 
training and judgment, since they have more power in deciding 
how a law affects the people than even the legislature which 
makes it. 

In those counties which have superior courts, Cumberland, 
Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Penobscot, the sessions held by 
the supreme court justices are for civil cases only, the judge of 
the superior court having control over all criminal cases and also 



194 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

over such civil cases as may come before it. If the decisions 
of superior courts or of any justice of the supreme court are 
not satisfactory to the one against whom the action is brought, 
the case may be appealed to the law court for final decision, 
provided there appears to be reason for doubt. If the judge 
thinks the verdict of the jury is not in accordance with the 
evidence or if the jury disagrees, that is, does not come to 
a unanimous decision, he may order a new trial. By agree- 
ment of both parties the trial may be held before the judge 
alone without a jury. 

The municipal courts of cities and the trial justice courts 
have no juries. Cases coming before them are usually of 
comparatively small consequence. These courts are estab- 
lished for the settling of difficulties and misdemeanors of a 
minor nature in order that the higher courts need not have an 
excessive number of such cases to take up their time. Appeal 
may, however, be made if there is reason to believe that justice 
has not been secured. 

In each county the probate court is in session at stated times, 
usually at least once in every month. The judge of probate 
has as the chief part of his duties the appointment of persons 
to settle the estates of those who have died and to see that their 
property is disposed of in accordance with the laws governing 
such disposal. He has also to do with the appointing of 
guardians for minors or others not capable of managing their 
own affairs. He is elected for four years by popular vote of 
his county. 

The Methods of Court Procedure. When it becomes neces- 
sary for any case to be taken into court we find that considerable 
machinery is involved. As we have seen, there are two classes 
of cases, civil and criminal. The civil cases are those in which 
no crime which affects the public has been committed. Failure 
to pay bills or questions over ownership of land are illus- 
trations of difficulties of a civil nature which may get into the 
courts for action. Such things as murder, stealing, the burning 
of buildings, or the passing of worthless checks are the basis for 
criminal action. 



HOW THE STATE IS GOVERNED 195 

In civil cases applieation is made to the court by the person 
wronged, and the court then issues an order to the one who is 
supposed to have committed the wrong to appear in court at 
a certain time and defend himself against the charge. Usually 
a lawyer is employed by both parties to represent them, and 
the evidence is presented before the judge and jury, or before 
the judge alone if both parties agree. If a jury is to decide 
the case, the judge very carefully goes over the evidence with 
them and explains the law covering such situations before the 
members retire to reach their verdict. This action on the part 
of the judge is called " charging " the jury. The members 
then go to their room and return with their decision, including 
in their verdict the amount of money which shall be awarded 
if that item is involved. 

In criminal cases the procedure is more complicated, as 
imprisonment or a heavy fine is usually the result of a conviction. 
The death penalty for the crime of murder was long ago abol- 
ished in Maine and life imprisonment was substituted. The 
first step is ordinarily the taking of the criminal suspect by 
the serving of a warrant which has been issued by the court as 
authority for his arrest. He is held in jail or allowed to go out 
after cash or sureties have been furnished as bail for his appear- 
ance later to undergo trial. In capital cases, if at the first hear- 
ing, when the prisoner is arrested, there is shown strong evi- 
dence of guilt, the judge may refuse to allow bail and he is then 
held in jail until the next session of a special jury, called the 
" grand jury," which meets just before the regular term of 
court. At this session must appear also those who are out on 
bail. This jury does not hear cases except so far as necessary 
to establish a reasonable possibility of guilt. No evidence for 
defense is heard by the grand jury. If the evidence is very 
weak, the prisoner is freed without further trial ; otherwise he 
is " indicted " by the grand jury. This means that evidence 
of his guilt is sufficient to warrant holding him for further trial. 
The case then is brought before the regular court and his trial 
proceeds much as in civil cases. If the accused person is judged 
innocent after his trial has been completed, he cannot again be 



196 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

tried for the same offense. Penalties vary from a small fine 
or a few days in jail to a life sentence in the state prison. 

For the trial of those accused of crimes against the United 
States government, such as smuggling or the robbing of post- 
offices, there is still another court having its judge, grand jury, 
and trial jury, but the state has no control over them. 

There are also several officers whom we have not mentioned 
but who are necessary in carrying out the administration of 
justice through the courts. They are, however, executive 
rather than judicial officers and their duties are considered 
among others of that class in the state and county organizations. 

EXERCISE XV 

1. What is the official designation of the highest court in the state ? 
Of whom does it consist? Is there any appeal from the decisions of 
this court ? What is meant by appeal ? 

2. Does the supreme court hear criminal cases in all counties? 
What is a jury? How many members has it? When is a jury not 
required to consider a case? 

3. What is a municipal court? A trial justice court? What sort 
of cases come before them? 

4. What is the probate court? How often does it meet? What 
kind of cases are considered by it? What other important function 
has this court ? 

5. What is the difference between a civil and a criminal case? 
Give illustrations of each. By what procedure is a person brought 
into court on a civil charge ? How is such a case conducted ? 

6. What steps are necessary in bringing a person charged with a 
criminal offense into court for trial? How is a criminal suspect dealt 
with by the grand jury? What is an indictment? What sort of 
punishment may a convicted prisoner receive? 

7. What other officers have to do with the work of the courts in 
an executive capacity? 



CHAPTER IV 
STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 

Section I 

Officials and Commissions 

The Governor and Council. The governor is the chief exec- 
utive officer of the state. It is his duty to exercise a very 
general supervision over affairs of state government and in 
every way possible to see to it that the state's interests are 
guarded, that the laws are enforced, and that state business is 
properly conducted. Until within a very few years the governor 
never devoted the whole of his time to this work, but now he is 
practically required by law to reside at Augusta and to do little 
else except attend to the duties of his office. At the beginning 
of his term he must be at least thirty years of age. 

Among his specific duties is included that of serving as com- 
mander-in-chief of the military forces of the state, but he is 
not expected to do actual field service. As has already been 
stated, he has the appointment of judges and most of the 
executive officers of the state government, as well as trustees of 
state institutions. He is required to furnish information to 
the legislature relative to the condition of the state, and recom- 
mend legislative policies. He may call the legislature in special 
session, when he deems it necessary or desirable. His authority 
also extends to the granting of pardons to criminals. When- 
ever the state is to be officially represented at any function, 
especially in another state, the governor is expected to assume 
that duty, although he may, and frequently does, delegate 
some one to take his place. 

The council is largely an advisory body to assist the governor 
in determining state policy within the provisions of the law. , 
In most instances the council must approve the appointments 

197 



198 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

made by the governor of persons to fill public offices. The 
pardon of criminals must also be approved by the council and 
no money may be disbursed from state appropriations until 
the warrant has its approval and that of the governor. This 
places in the hands of the governor and council a very great 
power because so large a part of the business of the state in- 
volves financial considerations. In this same connection may 
be mentioned the state contingent fund, sometimes as large 
as a million dollars, which is made up of funds not disbursed 
under the provisions of specific appropriations. Over this 
fund the governor and council have full control and may draw 
on it to meet deficiencies in department appropriations or to 
take care of emergency expenditures of any kind that the state 
is called upon to make. 

In the executive department, also under the direction of the 
governor and council, is included the division of state printing, 
state pensions for disabled soldiers and their dependents, and 
aid for state paupers, who include those persons living in un- 
incorporated townships and who have no claim for support 
from any municipality. 

Secretary of State. More directly connected with the work 
of the governor and council than any other state officer is the 
secretary of state. He is required to keep a record of the 
sessions of the council as its secretary ; to issue and certify all 
state papers, including commissions to those whom the governor 
has appointed to office, having in his charge the great seal of 
the state for this purpose ; to supervise elections and provide 
ballots for them; to cause the public laws to be assembled, 
printed, and distributed ; to file and preserve legislative records, 
records of incorporations, and many others of importance 
too numerous to mention. Within the last few years there has 
also devolved upon the office of the secretary of state a large 
amount of work as a result of the great increase in the use of 
automobiles. His department issues all licenses to drivers of 
motor vehicles. Each machine is registered, the registration 
fee is collected, the number plates are distributed, and all 
records of these items are kept on file. 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 199 

Treasurer of State. The treasurer of state is primarily 
the custodian of state funds. In his vault is kept a sufficient 
amount of money to meet daily transactions which demand 
cash payments. These, however, are comparatively few, and 
practically all state moneys are deposited in various banks, 
subject to withdrawal by check of the state treasurer. The 
state receives considerable revenue from the interest which 
banks pay for the use of its money while on deposit with them. 
All money is paid out of the treasury on the authority of a 
warrant approved by the governor and council. This warrant 
is simply a printed form which directs that money be paid to 
the persons listed in the warrant to the amounts placed after 
their names to cancel the indebtedness of the state to them for 
services or material furnished. These warrants are passed for 
approval by the governor and council twice each month. When 
we know that in. one year the state treasurer issues over 120,000 
individual checks, an average of 10,000 each month, and keeps 
accurate record of all these disbursements, we can easily see 
the extensive machinery necessary for carrying on this part of 
the work of the treasurer's office. On the other hand, all 
state revenues are received by the treasurer and the same 
accurate account of these receipts must be kept as is the case 
with money paid out. 

In the state's position as trustee of various public funds, 
there also devolves upon the treasurer of state responsibility 
for their proper administration and record. He must figure 
the interest due on each of them annually and put the amounts 
in proper channels for such payment as the law provides. 

From the office of the state superintendent of public schools 
he receives each year a statement of the number of persons of 
school age and must apportion a part of the state school funds 
to towns and cities in accordance with the number of children 
in each. The remainder of the school funds is distributed by 
him in proportion to the assessed valuation of each town or 
city, and this calculation also requires an immense amount of 
figuring which must be absolutely accurate. The treasurer is 
required to give to the state a heavy bond for the faithful 



200 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

discharge of his duties in connection with the handhng of the 
large amounts of money placed in his trust. 

State Auditor. Very closely associated with the executive 
offices which we have already considered is that of the state 
auditor. He is the only officer besides the governor who is 
elected by all the voters of the state. In general it is his duty 
to see that all accounts against the state are in proper form 
before being paid and that the disbursements on the accounts 
are charged against the proper appropriations. All warrants 
for the approval of the governor and council and for payment 
by the state treasurer are made up in his office twice each 
month. While the governor and council have final authority 
in the matter of certifying bills for payment, even if the auditor 
does not approve them, yet in practice this is seldom if ever 
done, and his decision as to the propriety of an account against 
the state stands above question. The books of state institutions 
located in various sections are examined at intervals by a travel- 
ing representative and reports are made at stated periods. 

State Superintendent of Public Schools. The state superin- 
tendent of public schools is appointed for a term of three years. 
His powers and duties are discussed in detail in the chapter on 
education. 

Attorney General. It is frequently necessary that the 
several departments have expert legal opinion and advice. 
This is furnished by the attorney general. In addition, he is 
the prosecuting attorney for the state in important criminal 
cases, and he acts as representative of the state in any legal 
matter in which the state is interested. Many persons have 
the idea that the attorney general is an officer to whom any 
citizen may appeal for interpretation of state laws, but such is 
not the case. His advice is available only for the benefit of 
other state officers in the discharge of their duties. 

It is also a part of the duties of the attorney general's office 
to assist in the apprehension of criminals and to make investi- 
gations in all cases requiring it. A special agent is employed 
for this purpose. The collection of inheritance taxes is an 
important function of his department, as is also the approval 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 201 

of papers of incorporation under the Maine law, all of which 
are required to be carefully examined before approval is given. 

Commissioner of Agriculture. The state specifically recog- 
nizes the importance of its agricultural interests by maintaining 
a state department of agriculture, at the head of which is a 
commissioner elected by the legislature for four years. This 
office has charge of promoting farm projects of all kinds , in- 
cluding field crops, fruit, and animal husbandry. It maintains 
a bureau of seed testing and improvement ; one devoted prin- 
cipally to apple orchard interests ; one for the promotion of 
animal industry, poultry raising, and the inspection of milk ; 
one for the purpose of improving market facilities for farm 
products ; one for inspection of seeds, commercial feeding stuffs, 
fertilizers, drugs, and other foods under the pure food law. 
A special field agent is employed, under whose direction is 
carried on the work of exterminating and holding in check the 
gypsy-moth pest. 

A sealer of weights and measures has charge of the inspec- 
tion and standardization of scales and measures used in stores 
for weighing and measuring food and other commodities. 

State Librarian. In the capitol building is located the 
state library, which is rapidly increasing in size and importance. 
It is not intended to be a public library in the sense of providing 
the latest books of fiction for the casual reader, but rather a 
reference library containing standard works of all kinds, files 
of reports, legislative documents, and thousands of books and 
pamphlets, not to be found in any other library of the state, 
which are, nevertheless, of great value to the student and re- 
search worker. The library has approximately 125,000 volumes 
and an abundance of other material of current and historical 
interest. 

The traveling library department is one which has been con- 
stantly growing and is serving a very large number of readers. 
These "libraries " consist of boxes containing approximately fifty 
books carefully selected to meet a variety of demands. They 
-are sent to reliable persons in any section of the state for com- 
munity use, generally where no public library is available. 



202 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

A charge of two dollars and fifty cents is made for the use of 
these books for a period of six months. The number of these 
traveling libraries is about 450, thus keeping 20,000 volumes in 
almost constant use and circulation. 

The library is under the control of the governor and council. 
They appoint a librarian to take direct charge of affairs. A 
library commission, of which the state librarian is secretary, is 
also appointed by the governor to furnish information and 
advice to schools and to towns in which public libraries are 
established, as well as to arrange for the traveling libraries and 
to perform such other service in behalf of public libraries as it 
may consider for the best interests of the state. The state 
librarian acts as the executive officer of the commission, as 
well as its secretary. He also carries out its policies. Trained 
library specialists are employed for the several departments 
of work which come under the direction of the state librarian. 
Local public libraries receive a certain amount of state aid 
each year through the library commission. 

Commissioner of Labor and Industry. While the depart- 
ment of labor and industry was not established until 1911, it 
has become one of great importance in improving conditions 
under which labor is employed in the various industries. The 
commissioner of labor is charged with the duty of inspecting 
factories for the purpose of ascertaining facts relative to com- 
pliance with the laws regulating the employment of women 
and children. The Maine law limits their labor to fifty-four 
hours each week, forbids the employment of children under 
fourteen years of age, or under fifteen years during school time, 
and under sixteen years unless they have completed the sixth 
grade. He also makes recommendations for better safeguard- 
ing of employees against danger from fire and from accidents 
in the use of machines. He is required to examine and approve 
agreements between injured employees and their employers 
in order to determine whether or not the law has been complied 
with which fixes the rights of the employee under such cir- 
cumstances. 

The commissioner is also a member of the industrial accidents 



STATE OP^FICERS AND THEIR WORK 



203 



commission, which adjusts payments under the workman's 
compensation law. In case of strikes or other labor disturb- 
ances, he is expected to assist as far as possible in their settle- 
ment. 

Land Agent and Forest Commissioner. The sale of any 
public lands belonging to the state and the collection of money 
for timber and grass sold from public lots is in the hands of 
the land agent, who 
is also forest com- 
missioner. The 
state owTis lots in 
many of the wild 
land or unorganized 
townships, but in 
most instances the 
right to cut the tim- 
ber and grass on 
these lots has been 
sold, so that no in- 
come now accrues 
to the state from 
them. These lots 
were originally re- 
served to the state 
when the townships 
were sold and were 
placed under control of the land agent. When the township is 
organized as a plantation, the income from these lots becomes 
a school fund, interest on which at six per cent is paid to the 
plantation by the state for the support of schools. If the plan- 
tation is later incorporated as a town, the principal is paid to 
the town, which then comes under the obligation to preserve it 
and apply the interest to school support. 

The duty of the forest commissioner is, in general, to take 
such steps as may be best for preventing and checking destruc- 
tive forest fires. There is maintained under his direction an 
extensive system of fire patrols. Watchmen's towers are 




One of the Fire Warden's Watch-towers 



204 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

located on elevated points of land, from which fire wardens may 
detect a forest fire within a very large area and adopt the most 
expeditious methods in checking it before it has spread over a 
considerable territory. Lookout stations in fifty-eight different 
places are available. In the maintaining of this service the 
federal government cooperates to a considerable extent. 

The forest commissioner is also actively cooperating with 
the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department 
of Agriculture in efforts for the control of the white pine blister 
rust, which threatens to do untold damage to our pine forests. 
A special law was passed by the legislature of 1917 providing 
an appropriation for this purpose. 

State Assessors. The state constitution provides that 
" All taxes upon real and personal estate assessed by authority 
of the state shall be assessed equally according to the just value 
thereof." It is one of the duties of the board of state assessors 
to see that this provision is carried out as far as possible. The 
assessors are three in number, appointed by the governor for 
terms of six years each. They fix the value of all property in 
the state, and the taxes levied upon it, for the purpose of pro- 
ducing revenue for the state and the several counties, are 
assessed upon the valuation thus fixed by them once in two 
years. Much of the information on the basis of which the state 
assessors determine the valuation of property is furnished by 
the figures given by local assessors in the towns, cities, and 
plantations when they make their annual inventory for local 
taxation purposes. In many instances, however, the state 
assessors find that the value thus arrived at by the local officers 
is much too low and they increase it to a considerable extent. 
In a few cases the opposite course is pursued. Returns of local 
assessors are required each year and are tabulated in detail in 
the state assessors' office. 

There are, however, some 400 unorganized townships con- 
taining about 20,000 acres each which have no local assessors, 
and in these localities the state officers must depend upon their 
own knowledge of values. In most of them the property con- 
sists of lumber and growing timber, since these are wild lands 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 205 

largely covered with forests. A few have some farm lands and 
in some there are mills and other property, such as summer 
hotels and camps. A just valuation of these lands is oftentimes 
a most difficult problem. Experts are employed by the board 
from time to time for the purpose of exploring many of these 
wild lands and making reports upon them so that a clearer idea 
may be had of their value. 

In addition to the real estate and personal property just 
mentioned, the state assessors must list for taxation all corpo- 
rations doing business in the state. These include such utili- 
ties as steam and electric railroads, telegraph, telephone, and 
express companies, banks and insurance corporations. 

Every two years a report is made by the board to the gov- 
ernor and council just before the legislature convenes. The 
tabulations given in it are thus available for reference, and the 
legislature knows just how much income is to be available from 
a certain rate of state taxation for the next two years. Ap- 
propriations can then be made accordingly by carefully estimat- 
ing the revenue which may be expected to accrue to the state 
from other sources. 

Commissioner of Health. For many years Maine had a 
state board of health with a secretary as its executive officer. 
In 1917 the organization was changed by the legislature and 
provision "made for a state department of health to consist of 
a commissioner and a public health council. Both were ap- 
pointed by the governor, the former for a term of six years, and 
the latter, consisting of the commissioner himself and four 
other members, for four years. The law provides also for such 
departmental divisions as the commissioner and council deem 
necessary, with a director for each. It is required that the 
state be divided into health districts, three or more in number 
and each in charge of a district health officer, who must devote 
his whole time to his official duties and must be a graduate of 
a medical school or of advanced college courses in public health 
administration. These district health officers are expected to 
act as the representatives of the commissioner and under his 
direction secure the enforcement within their districts of the 



206 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

public health laws and regulations. The state has been or- 
ganized into eight health districts. All the powers and duties 
of the former state board of health devolve upon the present 
state department of health. 

Under the provisions of the law the department now includes 
seven divisions. They are the divisions of administration, 
vital statistics, communicable diseases, venereal diseases, sani- 
tary engineering, diagnosis, and public health education and 
publicity. Each division is in charge of an expert with direct 
responsibility to the commissioner and with well-defined duties. 

At the head of the division of administration is the com- 
missioner himself. All the district and local officers are sub- 
ject to his general supervision. In the other divisions the 
work includes a great variety of activities. Records are kept 
of every birth, death, and marriage in the state, as well as of 
the prevalence of diseases, especially those which are of a con- 
tagious or infectious nature. Analysis is made to determine 
the purity of milk and water supplies, and examinations are 
conducted to check up general sanitary conditions in different 
parts of the state. The examination of thousands of cultures 
is annually made to ascertain whether or not there is evidence 
of such diseases as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and typhoid fever. 
Careful and prompt investigation is made in all cases where 
dangerous communicable diseases, such as scarlet fever or small- 
pox, are reported and advice and assistance freely given in the 
effort to prevent their spread. 

As important as the work of any department is that of giving 
to the public all possible information about matters of health. 
Publicity is given through the newspapers and through circulars 
to every phase of health education which will assist in pre- 
venting or controlling disease. We have learned during the 
last half century that much of the sickness, with the conse- 
quent loss of happiness and efficiency, to which we have been 
subject, may be greatly lessened by proper attention to personal 
and community hygiene and sanitation. We know, for ex- 
ample, that epidemics of typhoid fever can always be traced 
to a water or a milk supply which has become polluted from 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 207 

some source in which the disease lias been prevalent and 
from which it has spread to others. For this reason the state 
should warn all people by educational methods to insure the 
purity of their water supply. 

Not only is it important that milk and water supplies be 
carefully guarded from contamination, but also that every 
other source of contagious disease be given most thorough 
attention. In times of epidemics of smallpox, diphtheria, 
scarlet fever, or other such diseases, a strict quarantine of 
homes in which they exist is enforced by the health officers 
in order that other people may be protected. So well and so 
generally is this policy carried out that we now seldom have 
very serious epidemics of these diseases. Other menaces to 
public health now persist which more frequently give us con- 
cern. We are rapidly coming to recognize the dangers from 
them and to take the necessary steps to prevent their inroads 
upon our health resources. The difficulty has been that much 
of the responsibility has been altogether personal, and people 
have had to be gradually educated to an appreciation of the 
fact that their negligence may endanger the lives and health of 
others as well as their own. 

Suggestions for more intelligent attention to sanitary pre- 
cautions, both in public and personal relations, are as widely 
distributed as possible by the state health department. Stere- 
opticon outfits are available with a great variety of material 
for lectures on health problems and child welfare work. These 
are used for instruction in schools, granges, and other organiza- 
tions interested in the spreading of the message of good health. 

Insurance Commissioner. Insurance companies issuing 
policies of any kind whatsoever in Maine must first receive a 
license in order to operate their business, and it is one of the 
duties of the insurance commissioner to issue these permits. 
He also has forwarded to him by municipal officers a report of 
every fire that occurs, its cause, the damage done, and the 
facts relative to the insurance. In cases to which any sus- 
picion of irregularity attaches, he has authority to make such 
investigation as he may deem necessary. He has general 



208 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

supervision of everything which pertains to the insurance 
business in the state and very broad powers to control the con- 
ditions under which companies may receive money from those 
who are paying for the protection offered. It is of great im- 
portance that a company shall be fully able to meet its con- 
tracts and make the necessary payments when losses occur. 
The insurance commissioner, through his annual audit of the 
books of these companies, has a chance to ascertain the financial 
standing of each one, and, if he finds that there is danger of loss 
to its policy holders, he may take steps to prevent such a result. 

Another very important part of the work of the insurance 
commissioner is largely educational. Many of the fires which 
occur each year are due entirely to carelessness and to the fact 
that material of an inflammable nature is present in places 
where fire can easily get a start. He endeavors through all 
kinds of publicity to carry out a campaign of fire prevention 
by emphasizing the dangers that are constantly in our midst 
from disregard of some of the essential features of protection 
against fire losses. Whenever a fire occurs, it is inevitable that 
some value is destroyed. Even if the insurance money is 
sufficient to replace a building in as good or better condition 
than before, yet the destruction of a certain amount of capital 
has taken place and cannot be recovered. No one knows 
when a fire starts to what extent it may spread, nor how much 
damage may be done before it is under control. 

Public Utilities Commission. A railroad, a water com- 
pany, or a telephone company is an example of what is called 
a public utility because it furnishes a kind of service upon 
which the general public depends to meet its needs and in which 
nearly everybody is directly interested. To have general 
supervision over the work of such companies, Maine has a 
department of state government known as the public utilities 
commission, consisting of three members appointed for seven- 
year terms. They have, of course, a number of assistants to 
carry on the work of the department, which was established 
by law in 1913. 

The commission has jurisdiction over all steam and elec- 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 209 

trie railroads in the state ; telephone, telegraph, and express 
companies ; steamboat companies ; pullman-car companies ; 
storage concerns ; electric light and power companies ; water and 
gas companies. All of these are required to make an annual re- 
port of their financial condition to the commission and when 
they plan to make any change of rates they must notify the 
commission at least thirty days before the new rates go into 
effect. If the commission has reason to believe that these 
rates are not just or if the people affected by the change request 
it, the new schedule may be held up until an investigation can 
be made to determine whether or not the change is justified. 
This investigation may take the form of a public hearing, at 
which both sides may be represented, or it may be that a care- 
ful record of the company's property is made, with its receipts 
and its expenditures for operating or maintenance. Should 
it appear that the proposed rates are not required to furnish a 
reasonable return to the company, then the commission may 
refuse to allow the new schedule of charges to be put into effect. 

A public utility may not issue new stocks or bonds without 
the approval of the commission, since this increases the in- 
debtedness of the company. It might be necessary to raise 
its charges for service in order to meet the interest payments 
on an increased liability. It is necessary also to protect the 
stock or bond holders in their investments, and the issuing of 
more stock or bonds might mean a loss of interest for those who 
put money into the company because of lack of revenue to 
meet the increased demands. 

Whenever a public utility is giving poor service, the people 
who patronize it may ask the commission to investigate the 
situation, and if it appears that the difficulty can be remedied, 
the commission has authority to order that a change be made. 
For example, if a railroad should constantly run a train with 
only half enough cars to accommodate the people who are rid- 
ing, so that a large number are forced to stand up every day, an 
order may be given to the railroad company requiring it to 
furnish additional cars so that the passengers may be reason- 
ably sure of having seats provided for them. 



210 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

When an accident occurs, it is the duty of the commission 
to investigate the cause, and if it is found that there is some 
way in which the pubhc utihty may bring about a change in 
method or equipment to prevent the same kind of accident from 
happening again, orders may be given to make whatever change 
is necessary. In the same way a change may be ordered when- 
ever any condition is found which is Hkely to cause an accident 
or discomfort and inconvenience to the pubHc at any future 
time. Thus a fiat carwheel or a defective bridge or a loose tele- 
phone or electric light wire, which may be a source of danger 
to the public, can be ordered replaced or repaired. 

From this description we see that the public utilities com- 
mission has a great deal of power and authority. In fact, there 
are few other state officers who have such broad jurisdiction 
over matters which are so commonly associated with the com- 
fort, convenience, safety, and financial protection of the people. 
All the decisions and orders of the commission are subject to 
appeal and to review by the courts for final adjustment, but 
in practice such a course is very seldom adopted and a large 
part of the complaints are settled by the taking of no official 
action beyond that of calling the attention of the companies 
to the desirability of some change. 

Industrial Accident Commission. In order that workmen 
may have assurance of compensation in case of injury received 
in the course of performing the duties required of them while 
in the employ of any person or corporation, the state law pro- 
vides for an industrial accident commission. It consists of 
four members appointed by the governor and council. Two 
of them, the chairman and an associate legal rnember, must be 
lawyers in good standing, and the other two are the state in- 
surance commissioner and the state commissioner of labor and 
industry. The chairman and associate legal member serve for 
terms of three years each. 

Whenever a workman is injured, the law requires that the 
employer shall promptly furnish such medical, surgical, or 
hospital treatment as may be necessary, and shall pay the cost 
thereof in such amount as the commission shall decide if there 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 211 

is a dispute about it. When the injury is of such nature as to 
disable totally the employee, he receives from his employer 
a weekly compensation equal to three-fifths his average weekly 
wages for five hundred weeks, but the amount per week is not 
in any case to be over fifteen dollars nor less than six dollars. 
If only partial disability results from the injury, the amount of 
the payments and the number of weeks of their continuance 
are less, depending upon the nature of the injury. The com- 
mission must determine what is just in each case. Should the 
workman be killed or die as a result of injury, his dependents 
receive three-fifths of his average weekly wages for three hun- 
dred weeks, but not more than fifteen dollars nor less than six 
dollars per week in any case. With the approval of the com- 
mission a lump sum may be paid by the employer instead of 
the required amount each week. 

The commissioner of labor must approve every agreement 
entered into between employers and injured employees. This 
guarantees that the law is being complied with as to the amounts 
which shall be paid in every case. Wlien there is a dispute 
over the amount or the period of payment, the chairman or 
associate legal member of the commission is given authority 
to settle the matter after due investigation. 

Any employer or employee, who prefers to do so, may decline 
to place himself under the provisions of this law by giving due 
notice and may resort to the courts in all cases of accident in 
which there is a dispute as to liability, but it is not usual for 
this to be done. Many employers simply take out policies 
with insurance companies and they then assume the obligations 
of the employers. In such cases the insurance commissioner 
must approve the form of policy and also the rates charged for 
such insurance. 

Adjutant General. The governor is the commander-in- 
chief of all the mihtary forces of the state and the adjutant 
general is his chief of staff. The adjutant general is also quarter- 
master general and paymaster general of the state and, sub- 
ordinate only to the governor, is in control of the military 
department. He is required to keep all records having to do 



212 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

with the mihtary organization and make such reports and 
estimates as may be required by the Federal War Department. 
He is responsible for the care of all military property of the 
state, such as guns, ammunition, clothing, and other equip- 
ment. He makes such purchases as may be necessary to equip 
properly the members of the state militia. 

In addition to the above duties of the adjutant general, which 
are specified in the law, there are many others which devolve 
upon him in connection with the work of his office, and es- 
pecially as the adviser and representative of the governor in 
his capacity as commander-in-chief. Especially during war 
times is great responsibility placed upon the adjutant general 
when his relations with the Federal War Department require 
constant attention to the demands which that department 
makes upon state officers. 

Bank Commissioner. General supervision over all the 
banks of the state, with the exception of the national banks, 
and over all loan and building associations is exercised by the 
bank commissioner. No savings bank, trust and banking com- 
pany, or loan and building association may begin transacting 
business until the bank commissioner has issued a certificate of 
authority. First, he must be satisfied that the provisions of the 
law governing these organizations have been complied with and 
that the persons who form them are responsible parties. He keeps 
a list of all their officers. They must make such returns to him 
annually as he may require to enable him to determine their 
standing and whether they are carrying on their business in 
such a way as to insure the safety of those who deposit money 
or hold shares in them. 

Each year he is required to make an examination of their 
books and such other papers as may be necessary. If at any 
time he finds any condition which, in his opinion, seems to 
imperil the standing of a bank or make it unsafe for it to con- 
tinue to receive money from depositors, he has authority to 
take legal steps to prevent it from doing further business. If 
a trust and banking company wishes to open a branch in 
another town or city, it must first receive the approval of the 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 213 

commissioner. He must also approve any increase in stock 
that is to be sold to investors for the purpose of adding to its 
capital. 

If any corporation outside the state wishes to sell any of its 
bonds to people in Maine, it must first secure a license from the 
bank commissioner. All dealers in securities also must register 
with him before they can sell to people in the state any stocks 
or bonds which they do not themselves own. This is what is 
known as the " blue sky " law and is intended to prevent per- 
sons from coming into Maine and selling worthless stock to 
those who do not take the trouble to investigate carefully before 
putting their money into some scheme which may have no 
value. The name of the law comes from this purpose to pro- 
tect the people from being swindled through buying securities 
in companies which either do not exist at all or have assets 
that are not worth much more than an equal amount of " blue 
sky." If the bank commissioner finds that any dealer is en- 
gaged in selling worthless stock or is otherwise using improper 
methods in his business, he may revoke his license and thereby 
prevent him from doing any further business in the state. 

Another duty of the commissioner is that of certifying twice 
each year to the state assessors the value of the investments by 
savings banks and trust companies so that the tax required by 
law to be paid to the state may be assessed. 

Board of Charities and Corrections. The state board of 
charities and corrections is composed of five members appointed 
by the governor, and it appoints a secretary to serve as its 
executive officer. The board has under its supervision, but 
not under its direct administration, the whole system of public 
charities and correctional institutions in the state. Through 
its secretary and other agents it is required to examine into the 
condition and management of all such institutions which derive 
their support wholly or in part from funds of the state, county, 
city, or town. They include prisons, jails, reform schools, 
childrens' homes, hospitals, sanatoriums, almshouses, insane 
hospitals, schools for feeble minded, and all others of a similar 
nature. While all of these institutions are managed by other 



214 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

state boards, by the county commissioners, by town overseers, 
or by private trustees, yet the state board of charities and 
corrections lias authority under the law to recommend such 
changes as may be deemed desirable, based upon the inspec- 
tion which must be made at least once each year. 

Fundamentally the work of the board is for the benefit of 
humanity. It has a great variety of duties in matters which 
pertain to the welfare of children, of mothers with dependent 
children, of insane and feeble-minded persons, of criminals, 
and of others who may be inclined toward criminal acts. It is 
especially charged with the duty of seeing that any mother with 
dependent children is rendered aid by the town or city in which 
they reside, if investigation shows that aid is necessary, and 
the home is a suitable one for the bringing up of children. 
Towns are reimbursed by the state, upon approval by the state 
board, to the extent of one-half the amount paid for mothers' 
aid. The board also is required to investigate cases of cruelty 
to children and to bring them to the attention of the court, which 
may take such children from their parents and place them in an 
institution or home approved by the board. All persons or 
organizations which maintain homes or boarding houses for 
children must have a license from the board of charities and 
corrections. Overseers of the poor are required to report 
statistics relative to support of poor in their towns to the state 
board each year. 

Another duty of the state board which is very important in 
protecting the public from the activities of those who solicit 
the contribution of money for supposed charitable purposes, 
but without authority, is the licensing of all those solicitors 
who are properly vouched for and whose work is duly authorized. 

Highway Commission. Wliile Maine had had for a number 
of years prior to 1913 laws which provided state aid to towns 
for the encouragement of permanent highway construction, 
it was not until that year that the state itself was given power 
to adopt a comprehensive program. The law then passed 
created a highway commission of three members, appointed by 
the governor for three years each, and directed them to employ 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 215 

a chief • engineer, who should be a civil engineer with special 
knowledge of highway construction, and such other engineers 
as were necessary. It further authorized the commission to 
lay out a connecting system of roads throughout the state to be 
improved wholly at state expense or jointly by the state and 
the towns. The commission was given full power to under- 
take the construction of state highways according to the pro- 
gram which should be adopted and complete them as fast as 
funds should be made availal^le for the purpose. It was also 
specified that the commission should at all times be ready to 
advise selectmen and road commissioners of towns upon any 
matter connected with road construction or maintenance. 

In accordance with this law the commission proceeded to 
lay out a system of trunk line state highways running the entire 
length of the state from Kittery to Fort Kent by way of Bangor 
and Houlton, with branches which covered all the southern and 
central parts of the state, extending east along the coast to 
Eastport and Calais ; west from Portland to Fryeburg, Bethel, 
and Rumford ; north to the Rangeley Lakes, Moosehead Lake, 
and Jackman. • The whole proposed system comprised one 
thousand three hundred miles. 

Work was begun in 1914 to carry out the state highway pro- 
gram. Since that time each year has seen a continuance of 
the work. Many miles of improved road have also been con- 
structed by towns and cities through their compact sections 
where the law does not allow the state to build, but requires 
the work to be done at town expense with a certain amount of 
aid from the state. A still greater amount has been built by 
towns on other than state trunk lines under the state-aid law 
which gives them reimbursement of from seven hundred to sev- 
eral thousand dollars each year for expenditiu-es for perma- 
nent road construction. The amount of reimbursement depends 
upon the valuation of the town, so far as the proportion which 
the state pays is concerned, and it ranges from one-half in the 
larger towns to a little less than three-quarters of the total cost 
in the smaller ones. These state-aid roads are under construc- 
tion in most of the different towns and are being completed at 



216 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

the rate of more than one hundred miles per year. All work on 
these roads must be done in such a way as to meet the approval 
of the state commission. 

For the construction of state highways and state-aid roads, 
there is provided a large annual state appropriation, arising 
from a state tax of one mill on the valuation of all property of 
the state. There is also available for road construction a part 
of the income received from automobile registration fees. 
Further funds for this work are secured by state bond issues, 
and a large amount of money is apportioned by the United 
States government. All these make possible rapid progress 
toward the completion of the state highway system. 

A very important element in the road situation is the policy 
of highway patrol which is carried out on state-aid roads under 
construction or designated for construction. The men em- 
ployed for this patrol work are paid jointly by the towns and 
by the state. Their work is to traverse the highways with 
road drags, especially after rains, in order to fill up ruts and 
keep the road crowned so that water will drain off, as well as 
to look after washouts, remove rocks and stones, and see that 
their general condition is as good as possible. There are em- 
ployed several hundred patrolmen who cover thousands of miles 
of roads and keep them in good condition. 

There are few things that contri]3ute more directly to the 
welfare, comfort, and convenience of all of us than good roads. 
Especially in the rural districts does it make a vast difference 
whether the people have good roads over which to travel or 
whether they are forced to go about through deep mud in 
spring and fall, over countless rocks and stones in summer, 
and through drifted snows in winter. Those of us who live in 
the city and have infrequent occasion to use the country roads 
often think that it makes little difference to us whether or not 
they are good or poor. We must remember, however, that 
our food supply comes from the farms and, while much of it is 
transported to the cities by rail, yet in the beginning all of it 
must be handled over the roads from the farm to the railroad. 

A good country road means a great increase in efficiency in 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 217 

transporting foodstuffs. If it is muddy or rocky or runs over 
long steep hills, the load that can be hauled by the farmer is 
reduced by a large percentage, and the cost of marketing is 
thereby increased hi proportion. In the same way the load 
which he takes on the return trip, consisting perhaps of fertilizer 
or lumber or provisions for his family, is similarly reduced. 
Much more time is required for the trip, his horses are tired by 
the heavy work, he himself is discouraged and out of patience, 
and the wear and tear on wagon and harness is much more than 
it should be. All of these things affect not only the farmers 
themselves but those who use their products. Thus we see that 
the country, the village, and the city are all alike benefited by 
good roads and injured by poor ones. 

It is not only from financial considerations that the good 
road should be encouraged. It is evident that all community 
activities are made less efficient when roads are not improved. 
It is harder for children to get to school, whether they walk or 
are conveyed ; the churches are not well attended because it is 
often difficult to get to them ; farmers cannot attend grange 
meetings regularly, nor meetings of other social or civic or- 
ganizations in which they may be interested ; delay occurs in 
the sending and delivering of mails ; visits to the village or city 
for the purpose of trade or the transaction of other business are 
made more difficult and hence of less frequent occurrence. 
All of these conditions arising from poor roads are of vital con- 
cern to all of us because they mean the eventual deterioration of 
country life, and the nation must have a strong, contented rural 
population if it is to survive and maintain its standards of 
living. Good roads are one of the essential factors of rural 
efficiency and also of city growth and prosperity. 

The great increase in the number of automobiles has given 
strong impetus to the movement for better roads. A bad road 
is something that takes most of the pleasure from motor travel. 
Both country people and city people are becoming more and 
more dependent upon the automobile for a large part of their 
pleasure. By its use they can have access to the myriad beauti- 
ful bits of scenery for which Maine is famous throughout the 



218 



THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 



nation. Good roads everywhere bring visitors by the thou- 
sands to enjoy the Hmitless resources of natural attractiveness 
and to contribute to Maine's prosperity. They also mean a 
marked increase in rural land values and a greater demand for 
good farms located on or near an improved highway. 

Maine has a total of 25,530 miles of road. Those which carry 
the principal trafl&c are rapidly reaching a stage of improvement 
which renders them most satisfactory. It is not likely that we 
can expect all of the mileage in the state ever to reach the same 




The State Fish Hatchery at Enfield 

standard, but we now may look forward to an excellent general 
system of highways throughout the state. 

Commissioner of Inland Fish and Game. From the very 
beginning of Maine history we find that the game animals in 
the forest and the fish in river and lake have been one of the 
great natural resources. Long before the white settlers came, 
the Indians depended upon them for a great part of their living, 
and no doubt in many instances they were saved from impending 
starvation by the presence of such an abundance of food which 
could be had for the taking. 

Then there was no thought of any possibility that the time 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 219 

would come when any restrictions would need to be placed upon 
hunting and fishing in order to prevent the loss of these great 
resources. But as the number of inhabitants increased and 
the state became settled over a large area, the constant drain 
upon the supply for food purposes and the growing number of 
those who pursued hunting and fishing as a sport gradually 
made it evident that, in spite of the vast territory which re- 
mained unsettled and the wealth of both fish and game that 
we enjoyed, some steps must be taken to preserve them. For- 
tunately the realization of this fact came before it was too late, 
and laws were passed limiting both hunting and fishing. 

The enforcement of these laws is placed in the hands of the 
state commissioner of inland fisheries and game, who also has 
authority to make many regulations of local application in the 
matter of designating streams and ponds which shall be open 
to fishing. Under his direction are many fish and game wardens, 
most of whom are appointed for service only in their own terri- 
tory and others who are known only to the commissioner and 
who travel about from one part of the state to another. All of 
these are constantly on the watch for violators of the fish and 
game laws who have no regard for the necessity which prompts 
the state to make these regulations. 

The greatest game resource at the present time is the deer. 
We still have many thousands of them roaming through our 
forests and even occasionally being seen in the thickly settled 
parts of the state. There are also many moose, but their 
numbers have been much lessened in recent years, so that for 
a time it was necessary to prohibit hunting them at all. Now 
there are a very few days in the fall when it is permitted to hunt 
them, except that a cow moose may not be shot at any time. 
Black bears are also occasionally to be found in the depths of 
the wilderness, but not in large numbers. The records of game 
shipments in a recent year showed a total of over 4000 deer 
shipped from stations on our railroads. This, of course, renre- 
sents only a part of the number killed in one season, since no 
record is made of those which were shot and consumed locally 
or transported by automobile. For the same year there is 



220 



THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 



recorded the shipment of 42 bears. All hunters, whether living 
in the state or coming from another, are required to register. 
The resident hunter may register for the nominal fee of twenty- 
five cents, but others must pay a much higher rate. When 
we consider that there are about one hundred roads leading 
across our state boundaries by which automobiles may bring 
hunters into Maine for a trip of only a day or a few days, it is 




^r^ 






s«r 




^%'#:ii 




An Outdoor Fish Feeding Station 

easy to see that the enforcement of the registration law is no 
small task. 

Laws are also in force to preserve our fish supply, but they are 
too varied to make it possible even to outline them here. Close 
time is prescribed on nearly all fish for at least a part of the 
year. Restrictions are also placed upon the number and amount 
which can be caught and held in possession at any one time. 

Besides the enforcement of these laws for the protection of 
the fish a very important part of the work of the commissioner 
is that of carrying out the state policy of replenishing the supply. 
This is done by the maintaining of fish hatcheries, where hun- 
dreds of thousands of young trout, salmon, and togue are reared 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR W(3RK 



221 



each year and placed in the lakes and streams to take the place 
of those which are annually taken from them. There are 
eleven different hatcheries and feeding stations for this purpose, 
located in widely separated sections of the state. Each year 
these hatcheries furnish some two million square-tailed trout, 
nearly a million salmon, and about a quarter of a million togue 
which are planted in the public waters of the state. Were it 
not for this policy, it would not be long before the splendid 
fishing grounds would lose their popularity. 




Part of the Exhibit in the State Museum 



In connection with the office of the fish and game commis- 
sioner there is maintained at the state house a museum which 
contains specimens of all kinds of stuffed and mounted fish and 
game native to Maine, This is a truly wonderful exhibit and 
the museum is a place which proves most interesting and at- 
tractive to the thousands of visitors who come to the capitol 
building. The aquarium in which are kept many kinds of live 
fish is one feature which attracts a great deal of interest. 

The importance of the preservation of fish and game is now 
almost universally recognized. Good fishing and good hunting 



222 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

are lures which attract thousands of visitors to Maine each 
year and serve to advertise the state in a way which could be 
accomplished by no other method. Whatever we do to assist 
in protecting these rich natural endowments is worth doing for 
that reason alone, but even more is it worth while in order that 
people of Maine may keep them for themselves and for those 
who come after them. 

Superintendent of Public Buildings. The state house and 
other buildings connected with the capitol, together with their 
grounds and furniture, require constant attention in order that 
they may be kept in proper condition to serve their purposes 
as public offices and as the center of the state government to 
which people from everywhere come both on official business 
and as sightseers. The superintendent is expected to see that 
both grounds and buildings are well kept and that fuel is pro- 
vided. 

Live Stock Sanitary Commissioner. For the purpose of 
controlling contagious diseases among animals the state live 
stock sanitary commissioner is given broad authority. When- 
ever he has reason to suspect that animals are suffering from 
a dangerous contagious disease he may make such, investigation 
as he deems necessary, and if he finds the disease to be present, 
he may establish a quarantine so that no stock may be moved 
from or into an area within which the diseased animals are 
found. He may cause affected animals to be killed and the 
state pays the owner for them. 

The commissioner is required to draw up rules and regulations 
for the carrying out of the work of his office, including methods 
of testing animals for disease and the disposal of those killed, 
and when those rules are approved by the governor and council 
they have the force of law. No horses or cattle are allowed to 
be shipped into the state without a permit from the commis- 
sioner, and no transportation company is allowed to accept 
for shipment into the state any animal known to be affected 
with a dangerous contagious disease. In the work of inspec- 
tion which the commissioner is required to do, he has the co- 
operation of the United States Department of Agriculture, 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 223 

which also provides a Hmited amount of money to be used in 
certain instances in reimbursing owners for animals which 
have been killed to prevent the spread of disease. 

Commission of Sea and Shore Fisheries. The many laws 
for regulating the matter of fisheries on the coast and in the 
tidewaters of the state are enforced by a commission of sea 
and shore fisheries through a general director appointed by the 
commission. He has authority to appoint fish wardens, and 
also is given broad powers to search premises and make arrests 
in the case of law violations. The commission issues licenses 
to all persons or corporations engaged in the lobster business, 
which is one of the most important of the coast industries, and 
has special jurisdiction over the canning of herring and sardines. 
It is charged with the duty of encouraging the culture and 
propagation of shellfish and others over which it has juris- 
diction. 

Superintendent of Public Printing. The large amount of 
printing required by the several state departments, including 
reports, pamphlets, blank forms of all kinds, and all other 
printed matter, is placed in the hands of the superintendent of 
public printing, who is given jurisdiction over and general super- 
vision of the carrying out of printing contracts under which all 
work of this kind is done. 

State Pension Agent. To provide for needy Maine soldiers 
who fought in the Civil War or the War with Spain and who 
are now disabled because of that service, the state pays a 
pension of twelve dollars a month. Widows, children, and 
dependent parents or sisters of such soldiers are also entitled 
to a state pension. The governor and council have this matter 
in charge and they carry out the provisions of this law through 
the state pension agent. 

State Institutions. Maine has two state hospitals for the 
insane. One is located at Augusta and the other at Bangor. 
The one at Augusta is slightly larger, having something over 
1000 inmates, while that in Bangor has about 700. The cost 
of maintaining these hospitals is partly met by charges for 
board and care, practically all of the remainder coming from 



224 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

state appropriations. In addition the state expends large 
amounts for buildings and other special expenses. 

The Maine school for the feeble minded is in Pownal, where a 
large farm is devoted to the purposes of the institution. In 
this school persons who are not of normal mental development 
are given special instruction suited to their ability. The 
maintenance of the school is practically all provided for from 
state funds. 

There are three state sanatoriums for the treatment of tuber- 
culosis patients. One of these is at Fairfield, one at Presque 
Isle, and the third at Hebron. In these institutions there are 
many patients who receive treatment at state expense and 
others who pay at least a part of the cost of treatment. 

At Bath there is an asylum for the orphan children of Maine 
soldiers and sailors. There are about sixty children cared for 
here. At first it was established as a private institution, but 
it has now practically been taken over by the state, which an- 
nually appropriates funds for its running expenses. 

The state prison was established at Thomaston in 1824. 
The prisoners confined there are, for the most part, kept at 
work at some occupation which is revenue producing, so that 
the prison is largely self-supporting. 

In order that delinquent boys may not be confined in prison 
and be subject to the bad influences of older men of criminal 
tendencies, a state reform school, or the state school for boys 
as it is called, was established at Cape Elizabeth (in the part 
which is now South Portland). A similar school for girls is 
located at Hallowell. In both the school for boys at South 
Portland and that for girls, it is customary to allow a certain 
number to go out from the institution and make their homes 
with families which are known to be suitable. They are, of 
course, in close touch with the school and subject to its super- 
vision and authority at all times. 

At Skowhegan was established in 1915 a state reformatory for 
women which largely takes the place of a state prison for 
women. Some forty persons are taken care of there. It is an 
institution which is maintained for the purpose of reforming, 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 225 

as well as punishing. Thus it is in line with modern prison 
administration, which recognizes the human element in prisoners 
and the fact that many criminals have much of good in them if 
they are given proper treatment, and that crime is often the 
result of disease. 

Following out the same idea in the case of men, the legis- 
lature of 1919 appropriated money to establish a similar re- 
formatory for men. 

In addition to the state institutions just mentioned, there 
are many others which receive state aid for maintenance. 
These include numerous hospitals, of which the largest are the 
Augusta General Hospital, the Central Maine General Hospital 
in Lewiston, the Eastern Maine General Hospital in Bangor, 
and the Maine General Hospital in Portland. Several chil- 
dren's homes and societies receive state aid. The Maine 
Institution for the Blind and the Maine School for the Deaf, 
both in Portland, are partially supported by the state. Pro- 
vision is also made for the payment of state pensions to the 
needy blind. 

Indian Reservations. The state also recognizes its re- 
sponsibility toward the remnants of the once powerful Indian 
tribes which still remain to remind us that they were at one 
time the sole inhabitants of the state. Two of these tribes, the 
Penobscots and the Passamaquoddies, are now in existence. 
The former occupy several islands in the Penobscot River just 
above Oldtown, most of the territory being included within 
the limits of that city. The Passamaquoddies, which include 
parts of several tribes, are divided between Indian township 
and the town of Perry, both in Washington County. 

All together there are about a thousand Indians in these reser- 
vations. They are engaged for the most part in agriculture, 
the making of baskets, and fishing. While partly self-support- 
ing, the state allows them certain bounties for their agricultural 
products and appropriates money annually toward their sup- 
port when necessary. Agents of the state have general super- 
vision over them and see that proper provision is made for 
their needs. 



226 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OP^ MAINE 

These tribes have a form of local government whereby they 
elect their own officers, the chief one of which is known as the 
governor. They also elect representatives to the state legis- 
lature, but they have no vote in that body. The legislature 
has a special committee on Indian affairs as does also the 
governor's council. 

It is worthy of mention that many of the members of these 
tribes have shown a great interest in outside affairs and several 
have made most creditable records in institutions of higher 
learning which they have attended. 

EXERCISE XVI 

1. What are some of the principal duties of the governor of the 
state? To what extent must the council approve his acts? Over 
what special departments do the governor and council have control 
in addition to their general duties? Who is the present governor? 

2. Why is the secretary of state considered as being so closely 
connected with the work of the governor and council? What are his 
principal duties ? What branch of governmental activity is mentioned 
as having become of great importance in the office of the secretary of 
state? Tell more about it. 

3. Wlmt is the chief responsibility of the state treasurer? W^iat 
is the warrant and who must approve it ? About how much money is 
the treasurer's office required to keep account of each year? (This 
can be learned from the annual report of the state treasurer.) Wliat 
shows something of the extent of the work of this department? 

4. Of what particular state business does the auditor have charge ? 
Why are his records especially important ? How is he chosen to office ? 

5. Why is it necessary that the state have an expert lawyer as one 
of its officers? In what way does the attorney general assist other 
officers? Of what other special matters does the attorney general 
have charge? What are inheritance taxes? 

6. Wliat is the general purpose of the department of agriculture? 
In what special branches of work is it concerned? Why is each one 
important ? (A report and other bulletins should be secured from this 
department.) 

7. What does the state library contain? What are traveling 
libraries? How can you get one? What does the state library do to 
assist public libraries in towns and cities? 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 227 

8. Why should factories be inspected? Who does it? Wliat 
limitations does the law place on the employment of women and chil- 
dren? ^Vhat other special work does the labor commissioner have 
under his charge? 

9. Of what lands does the land agent have control? What are 
the duties of the forest commissioner? ^Vlly should we be concerned 
about the protection of our forests from fire? How does the com- 
missioner organize his forces to do this? 

10. What is supposed to be the basis of taxation of all property? 
How do the state assessors determine the value of property? For 
what purpose is the valuation fixed by the state assessors used ? Upon 
what other items must the assessors fix values for purposes of taxation ? 

11. Of whom does the state department of health consist? "WTiat 
is its relation to local health officials? How many divisions are there 
in the department? What are the most important lines of work of 
the commissioner of health and his assistants? Do you find ways of 
cooperating with their work in maintaining the most healthful living 
conditions in your home and neighborhood ? How do they give people 
information about health matters? 

12. What licenses must the insurance commissioner issue? Wimt 
facts must municipal officers report to him concerning fires? Under 
what conditions has he authority to investigate the cause of fires? 
How can many of them be prevented? "Wliat does' the insurance 
commissioner do to help in preventing fires? 

13. What is a public utility? Over what kinds of business does the 
public utilities commission have jurisdiction? "Wliat power has it in 
the matter of charges made by utilities for service? How does it 
determine whether or not rates are just? Wliat control has the com- 
mission over issues of stocks and bonds? Wliat is the power of the 
commission in case of accidents in connection with public utilities? 

14. When a workman is injured in the course of his work, what does 
the law require his employer to do ? "VMiat authority has the industrial 
accident commission to enforce the provisions of the law? How does 
it safeguard workmen's contracts? How do many employers protect 
themselves from loss on account of accidents to employees? 

15. What positions do the governor and the adjutant general occupy 
in relation to the military forces of the state ? Wliat records must the 
adjutant general keep and what is his responsibility for military sup- 
plies? How is he connected with the Federal War Department? 
What does he have to do with the state militia? 



228 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

16. Over what institutions does the bank commissioner have juris- 
diction? When a new bank is proposed, what is the duty of the com- 
missioner relative to it? Wlien he finds upon liis annual examination 
that a bank is not in good condition, what authority has he? \Yhy 
is it important that he have so much authority ? What is the number 
of banks in Maine? How many savings depositors are there? (Get 
a copy of the bank commissioner's report for these figures.) 

17. Over what institutions does the board of charities and correc- 
tions have supervision ? What does the board have to do in the carry- 
ing out of the law for mothers' aid? What is meant by the mothers' 
aid law? AVliat authority has the board in cases of cruelty to chil- 
dren and the licensing of boarding houses for children? WTiat do 
reports show as to the number of almshouses and the number of 
prisoners in the county jails? Wliat authority has the board over 
those who solicit money for charitable purposes? 

18. What power has the highway commission in constructing state 
roads? What duty has it toward selectmen and road commissioners 
of towns ? What is the trunk line sj^stem of highways ? Where does 
it extend ? How many miles in it ? What are state-aid roads ? What 
part of the towns of the state are building them ? How much of their 
cost does the state pay ? Does it require a great amount of money to 
construct roads? What is meant bj- the policy of highway patrol? 
How many patrolmen are there? About how many miles of road do 
they cover? How many miles of road in the state? How many in 
your town? (Get a copy of the annual report of the highway com- 
mission.) 

19. What made it necessary to take steps to protect our fish and 
game? What are the duties of the fish and game commissioner in 
their protection? Wlio does he have to help him? "Wliat "is our 
greatest game animal? Why is it required that hunters register? 
Wliat is done to replenish our supply of fish? Wliere is the state 
museum ? What is it ? 

20. Wlien the live stock sanitary commissioner suspects the presence 
of contagious disease among animals what may he do ? How does the 
state treat the owner in such cases? "What provision is made for 
regulating the shipping into Maine of horses or cattle which may have 
a contagious disease? 

21. Wliat authority has the commission of sea and shore fisheries 
in the protection of fish on our coast? With what kinds of fish does 
it have to do ? What is done to keep up the supply ? 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 229 

22. What is the work of the state pension agent? 

23. How many hospitals are there for the insane ? Where are they ? 
How many inmates have they ? Where is the Maine school for feeble 
minded? Where are the tuberculosis sanatoriums? Where is the 
state prison? The state school for boys? For girls? The reforma- 
tory for women ? Where are our largest general hospitals ? 

Section II 
Public Money and Its Expenditure 

In order to carry on the public business of the. towns and 
cities, the counties, and the state, a great deal of money is 
necessary. Few people, however, have an adequate idea of 
how great the amount is or the sources from which it comes. 
They loiow, of course, that the salaries and expenses of officers 
must be paid, that schools must be maintained, that roads must 
be built and repaired, that the poor must be cared for, and that 
other things which cost money must be done, but they have 
only very general and indefinite knowledge of the magnitude 
of these expenditures for the state as a whole. 

A large part of the money is raised through the taxation of 
-property in the several towns and cities by the local assessors 
and is collected and paid to the town or city treasurers to be by 
them disbursed for the local expenses of the municipalities. A 
part of the taxes thus raised is paid to the county treasurer 
and to the state treasurer to meet the tax which the state legis- 
lature imposes at each session. So far as the towns and cities 
are concerned, this general tax represents practically their whole 
revenue except that a poll tax of two or three dollars per capita 
is levied upon each male citizen over twenty-one years of 
age. 

State Receipts. In the preceding pages we have noted 
many of the different sources from which the state government 
receives its revenue. It comes first, from the general state tax 
on the property in the towns, cities, and unincorporated places ; 
second, frorii taxes upon business concerns ; third, from taxes 
upon inheritances ; and fourth, from fees of state officers, fines, 



230 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

licenses, interest on funds, and several other minor items. The 
following list gives the principal sources of income to the state : 

General tax on aU property. 

Railroads (steam and electric). 

Telephone, telegraph, and express companies. 

Parlor cars. 

Corporation franchises. 

Banks, insurance companies, and loan associations. 

Inheritance taxes. 

Automobile licenses. 

Fines and other licenses. 

Forestry protection. 

These provide the state for each year with a revenue amount- 
ing to several million dollars. 

State Expenditures. It is interesting to note also the ex- 
penditures made by the state out of this great revenue vmder 
authority of appropriations designated by the legislature for 
each year. It will be found that by far the largest part of it 
is paid back to towns and cities as aid for various activities. 
The schedule of appropriations given below for the several 
departments of state government includes only a small part of 
the total number of items, but it shows the largest and most 
important groups and indicates the great variety of purposes 
for which state funds are expended. 

Adjutant General's Department 
For military fund and armory rentals. 

Attorney General's Department 
For arrest and apprehension of criminals. 

Department of Agriculture 

For divisions of plant and animal industry, markets, and inspection. 
For farmers' institutes and aid to agricultural societies. 

State Assessor's Department 
For department maintenance and investigations. 

Banking Department 
For inspection of banks and loan agencies. 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 231 

Department of Laboh and Industry 
For department maintenance. 

Executive Department 

For state pensions to soldiers and sailors and their dependents. 

For support of state paupers. 

For support and education of the blind. 

For interest on war loan. 

For work of live stock sanitary commissioner. 

Industrial Accident Commission 
For department maintenance. 

Insurance Department 
For investigation of fires. 

Department of Inland Fisheries and Game 
For fish hatcheries and protection of fish and game. 

Land Agent and Forest Commissioner 

For fire protection in forestry district. 
For public instruction in forestry. 
For control of white pine blister rust. 
For maintaining nursery and surveying lots. 

Library Department 

For reports of judicial decisions. 
For purchase of books. 
For traveling libraries. 
For state aid to libraries. 

Public Utilities Commission 
For elimination of grade crossings. 

Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries 

For expenses of wardens. 
For propagation of shellfish. 

Secretary of State 
For advertising laws and franchise taxes. 

State Auditor 
For department maintenance. 

Board of Charities and Corrections 
For mothers' aid and care of neglected children. 



232 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

Department of Health 
For department maintenance. 

Department of Education 

For aid to academies and high schools. 

For superintendents' salaries and expenses. r 

For schooling children in unorganized territory. 

For summer schools and teachers' meetings. 

For state normal schools and other teacher training. 

For state funds for elementary schools. 

For industrial and vocational education. 

For teachers' pensions. 

Highway Commission 

For state-aid roads and bridges. 

For state highways. 

For interest on bonds and for sinking fund. 

For department administration and road maintenance. 

Treasurer or State 

For interest on debt and reserved land funds. 

For railroad and telegraph tax due towns. 

For damage by dogs and other animals to domestic animals. 

University of Maine 
For general maintenance and work in agriculture. 

Institutions and Miscellaneous 

For trustees and boards for state institutions. 

For state aid to private hospitals and benevolent institutions. 

For state hospitals for insane. 

For Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum. 

For school for the deaf. 

For school for feeble minded. 

For state prison. 

For state reformatory for women. 

For tuberculosis sanatoriums. 

For state school for boys. 

For state school for girls. 

For support of Indian reservations. 

For county attorneys. 

For water-power in estigation. 

For reformatory for men. 

For expenses of legislative session. 



STATE OFFICERS AND THEIR WORK 233 

EXERCISE XVII 

1. Why does the state government need a large amount of money 
to carry on its work ? How does it get the greater part of it ? 

2. Wliat is the total value of all property in Maine? What is the 
valuation of your town or city? What is the total amount of money 
raised in the state by taxation of property? (See report of state 
assessors.) 

3. From what other sources does the state get revenue? About 
how much is the total state revenue? (See report of state treasurer.) 

4. Name some of the purposes for which state funds are expended. 

5. Find out how much money your town or city pays to the state 
in taxes. 

6. How much does it receive back from the state and for what 
purposes ? 



CHAPTER V 
HOW WE ELECT OUR OFFICERS 

Political Parties. Whether it be in town, county, state, or 
nation, there are ahnost always differences of opinion among 
groups of people as to what is the best way to manage public 
business and who is best fitted to perform the duties. There- 
fore, when the time approaches for the election of officers to 
conduct the affairs of government, we usually find at least two 
divisions, one of which advocates one policy, or set of policies, 
and the other another. These different groups or divisions 
organize among themselves and endeavor to elect the officers 
who are pledged to carry out the ideas of the group which has 
chosen them to represent it. These different groups are called 
political parties. There may be any number of parties, but up 
to the present time most of the voters have been included in 
two divisions. Especially has this been true in the state of 
Maine. The two leading parties for many years have been 
the Republicans and the Democrats. The former have generally 
been by far the stronger, although in some years the division 
has been fairly close. 

Town and City Elections. So far as the election of town 
officers is concerned, it is quite common that no political parties 
are considered. When the town meeting is held, no question 
is raised usually as to whether a candidate for any office belongs 
to one party or to another. When this is the case, the voters 
simply express their choice by voting for the person they prefer 
without regard to the party to which he may belong. The voting 
is done by ballot. In other words, each voter places in a box, 
provided for the purpose, a slip of paper which has upon it the 
name of the man he wishes to see elected as selectman or 

234 



HOW WE ELECT OUR OFFICERS 235 

treasurer or clerk, as the case may be. The votes are then 
counted, and if one candidate has more than half of all the votes 
cast, he is declared elected. If there are more than two candi- 
dates and no one has a majority, then the voting must be done 
over agairt and continue until some one does have a majority, 
which means more than half of all the votes. 

In some towns even these local officers are elected according 
to the political party to which they belong. It depends much 
upon the intensity of the party feeling among the voters of the 
town whether or not party organizations are considered. If 
they are, then it is customary for the members of each party 
who are particularly interested to hold a meeting before the 
time for election and decide upon the person whom they wish 
to become the candidate of their party for each office. This 
meeting is called a " caucus " and the candidates chosen at 
this caucus are said to have been " nominated " to be voted 
upon at the coming town meeting. 

In the city elections the party division is almost always in 
effect, although sometimes, in case a very popular man is 
nominated by one party, the other will not nominate any one 
to oppose him. In town and city elections there seems to be 
little excuse for maintaining the party plan since most matters 
are of purely local interest and do not need to be looked upon 
as subjects for political debate. Nominations for city offices 
are made by a caucus the same as in towns. The mayor is 
elected by ballot of all the voters of the city, while members 
of the council are elected by the voters of the particular wards 
in which they live. 

State and County Elections. Before the year 1913, all 
candidates for election to state and county offices in Maine, 
as well as those who were candidates for representative to 
Congress, were nominated at conventions held by each political 
party some months before the election was to occur. Now, 
all candidates of a party which polled one per cent of the votes 
at the last state election must be nominated by the direct 
primary method. Any person who desires to be thus nominated 
is required to have a petition made up and signed by a certain 



236 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

number of the voters of his party, asking that he be considered 
as a candidate for a certain office. This petition must be signed 
by not less than one per cent and not more than two per cent 
of the total number of voters in all parties who voted for 
governor at the last election, in the unit which the aspiring 
candidate wishes to represent. When the petition is duly 
signed, it must be sent to the secretary of state before the third 
Monday in April of election year. State elections are held 
every two years on the second Monday in September of the 
even-numbered years. On the third Monday of the preceding 
June, the primary election is held, at which the names of all 
those who filed their petitions in April are voted upon and the 
candidate for each office who receives the largest number of 
votes from his party members is declared nominated by his 
party to be its candidate for election in September. 

Except in towns having less than two thousand inhabitants 
the voters in primary elections must have previously enrolled 
and be listed as members of the party for whose candidates they 
intend to vote. When a voter reaches the voting place, his 
name is checked off on the list and he is given the ballot of his 
party. Each party has a ballot which is a different color from 
that of any other party, and each ballot has on it only the 
names of the candidates of that party. The voter then goes 
to the voting booth and places a cross (X) in the square to the 
right of the name of each person for whom he wishes to vote for 
each office. If h,e wishes to vote for some person whose name 
is not on the ballot, he may write it in and place a cross in the 
square opposite, but he must not erase any name. On the 
next page is a specimen of a primary election ballot. 

After the primary election has been held, the successful 
candidates in each party are notified by the secretary of state 
and their names are then placed upon the official state election 
ballot to be voted upon in September, but they must first 
notify him that they accept the nomination or their names will 
not be included. Every candidate nominated must also file a 
statement showing what he expended in connection with secur- 
ing his nomination. All the ballots that are used in any election 



HOW WE ELECT OUR OFFICERS 



237 



PRIMARY BALLOT 

Make a cross X in the square to the right of the name of the person 
you wish to vote for. Follow directions as to the number of candidates 
to be marked for each office. Add names by writing or pasting stickers 
in blank spaces, marking X to right of such names. Do not erase names. 



For United States Senator 



Vote for one 



Charles H. Smith, Portland 










For Governor Vote for one 


John L. Brown, Rockland 










For Stale Auditor Vote for one 


Ernest B. Dyer, Gardiner 








For Representative to Congress 

Vote for one 


Harold H. Brown, Castine 










For State SeTiators Vote for two 


Charles C. Smith, Mt. Desert 






Thojl^s p. Jones, Gouldsboro 














For County Attorney Vote for one 


John D. Smith, Penobscot 











For Clerk of Courts 



Vote for one 



William A. Snow, Bluehill 










For Judge of Probate Vote for one 


Isaac B. White, Ellsworth 










For Register of Deeds Vote for one 


Herbert J. Green, Gouldsboro 










For Sheriff Vote for one 


Henry W. Cochrane, Sullivan 










For County Commissioner 

Vote for one 


John L. Wilson, Stonington 












For County Treasurer Vote for one 


Timothy B. Stone, Deer Isle 












For Representative to the Legislature 

Vote for one 




Frank R. Bates, Surry 













238 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

-are made up in the ofRce of the secretary of state and are sent 
to the towns before election day. 

On the second Monday in September the regular election is 
held. The method of voting at this election is somewhat 
different from that in the primaries. Every ballot is of the 
same color and has the names of the candidates of all parties 
printed on it, each party having a separate colunm for the 
names of its candidates. At the top of each column is a square. 
If the voter wishes to vote for all the candidates of one party 
he simply places a cross (X) in the square at the top of the 
party cohunn. If he wishes to vote for only a part of the 
candidates in that party, he crosses out or erases the name of 
the person for whom he does not wish to vote and places a cross 
in the small square at the right of the candidate for the same 
office in another column. If he prefers, he may omit placing 
the cross in the square at the top of the column, and instead 
may place a cross in the smaller square after the name of each 
candidate for whom he wishes to vote. He may cross out the 
name of any candidate in the column and write another in place 
of it if he wishes. If he spoils a ballot either by marking it 
incorrectly or otherwise, he may take it back to the ballot clerk 
and get another, but in no case can he have more than three m 
all and only one at a time. The sample ballot shown on the 
next page shows how it is arranged. Compare it with the 
sample of the primary ballot on a preceding page and note the 
differences. After the voter has marked his ballot, he passes 
out of the booth, gives his name to another clerk, and deposits 
his vote in the box provided for it. In no case may he show the 
ballot to any one after he has marked it. 

As soon as the hour arrives for the voting to stop, the clerks 
open the box and count the votes for each candidate. The 
town clerk must send notice of the result to the secretary of 
state within twenty-four hours. After the votes are counted, 
the ballots are sealed and the town clerk must either send them 
at once by express to the secretary of state or deliver them to 
him in person within three days. When the returns are all 
in the hands of the secretary of state, they are ready to be 



HOW WE ELECT OUR OFFICERS 



239 



REGULAR ELECTION BALLOT 




REPUBLICAN 

For United States Senator 


DEMOCRAT 
For United Stales Senator 






Oliver VV. Fenney, Bkowhegan 






Daniel C. Foster, Biddeford 
















For Governor 




For Governor 






Kdward p. Berry, Bangor 






James S. Bickford, Belfast 














For State Auditor 




For State Auditor 






Clarence Bell, Augusta 






Clarence Dyer, Fairfield 














For Representative to Congress 




For Representative to Congress 






KiCHARD C. Miller, Auburn 






Stephen L. Grant, Auburn 












For State Senators 


For State Senators 






Andrew W. Merchant, Auburn 




-b'RED G. JVlORKiLL, Auburn 










1 1 


Percy C. Lovejoy, Leeds 




Everett J. Thompson, Leeds 














For County Attorney 




For County Attorney 






Leland Perkins, Lewiston 






Leon S. Grover, Auburn 














For Clerk of Courts 




For Clerk of Courts 






Albert Philbrook, Auburn 






Percy M. Coburn, Auburn 














For Judge of Probate 




For Judge of Probate 






John J. Kmery, Auburn 




Elmer D. Cooper, Auburn 








For Register of Deeds 




For Register of Deeds 






Ralph C. Jackman, Greene 




Roy a. Harmon, Auburn 










For Sheriff 




For Sheriff 






Robert McKay, Lewiston 




Lewis Cates, Auburn 








For County Commissioner 




For County Commissioner 






John Simmons, Lewiston 






Stanley Webster, Lewiston 












For County Treasurer 




For County Treasurer 




Roger Cilman, Lewiston 




Robert D. Marshall, Auburn 












For Representatives to Legislature 


For Representatives to Legislatm 


■e 




Fred Estabrook, Lewiston 






Irving L. Hunt, Lewiston 












Roger IjIbby, I^ewiston 


Norman N. Cole, Lewiston 










William Higqins, Lewiston 






Palmer E. Bragdon, Lewiston 















240 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

tabulated for the inspection of the governor and council, who 
are required to examine them by the first day of December 
and make declaration of the result. Notice of election is then 
sent to each successful candidate by the secretary of state. 

Maine Members of the National Congress. In addition 
to candidates for state and county offices, there are also included 
in the primary and regular election ballots the names of those 
who seek to become representatives in the National Congress 
at Washington. Like all the other states Maine has two 
members in the United States Senate who are elected by the 
people of the whole state for terms of six years each, but both 
are not chosen in the same year. Maine has four representa- 
tives in the National House. Each of these is elected for two 
years and represents what is known as a congressional district, 
made up of a group of counties. These districts are so con- 
stituted as to give each representative about the same popu- 
lation in the unit from which he is elected. The first district 
includes York and Cumberland counties ; the second, Andros- 
coggin, Franklin, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, and Sagadahoc ; 
the third, Hancock, Kennebec, Somerset, Waldo, and Wash- 
ington ; the fourth, Aroostook, Penobscot, and Piscataquis. 
These districts are subject to change every ten years after the 
federal census is taken, because the number of representatives 
to which each state is entitled is determined by the population 
of the state in comparison with that of the country as a whole. 
Should the census at any time show that a state has not made 
a gain in the number of its people which compares favorably 
with that made by other states, it might be necessary to reduce 
the number of its members in Congress, while a very marked 
gain in population would result in increasing its member- 
ship. 

Who May Vote. The constitution specifies those who may 
vote in all state elections. The privilege of voting is called 
the right of suffrage. Up to the present time only men have 
been allowed to vote, but the amendment to the Federal Con- 
stitution conferring the right of suffrage upon women on an 
equality with men seems about to be adopted by a sufficient 



HOW WE ELECT OUR OFFICERS 241 

number of states so that within a very short time every citizen, 
both male and female, who has reached the age of twenty-one 
years may vote in Maine, except those who are paupers, those 
who are under guardianship, and Indians who are not taxed. 
In order to vote, a person must have been a resident of the 
state for the period of three months before the election. No 
person has the right to vote or hold office unless he is able to 
read the constitution in the English language, and write his 
name, except in the case of those who are prevented from so 
doing by some physical disability, such as blindness or paralysis, 
or who were sixty years of age or already had the right to vote 
on September 12, 1892, when the constitutional amendment 
containing this requirement became effective. 

Who May Hold Office. All persons who have the right to 
vote also have the right to hold office, except that senators must 
be at least twenty-five years of age at the beginning of their 
term, while the governor must be thirty years of age, a natural- 
born citizen of the United States, and must have been a resident 
of Maine for five years. He may not during his term as gov- 
ernor hold any other office under the authority of the state or 
national government. Both senators and representatives must 
have been residents of the United States for five years and of 
Maine for one year. 

EXERCISE XVIII 

1. What is meant by political parties? What are the two largest 
parties in Maine ? 

2. Are political parties recognized in town elections? How is the 
voting for town officers done? How many votes must a person have 
to be elected? What is a "caucus"? What is meant by "nomina- 
tion"? 

3. Wliat differences are there between an election in a town and one 
in a city? 

4. How are candidates for state and county elective offices nomi- 
nated? How is the voting done? Examine a ballot and see if you 
could mark it properly. 

5. When is the state election held? Is there a difference between 
the ballots used in this and in the primary election? How may a 



242 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

person vote for some one whose name is not on the ballot ? Why cannot 
the ballot be shown to any one after it has been marked? 

6. What is done with the ballots after they have been counted and 
the result made known? 

7. What is the privilege of voting called? May both men and 
women vote? What special classes of people may not vote? Must 
a person have any education in order to vote ? Can a person vote as 
soon as he comes into the state ? 

8. Wliat requirements must be met by persons who are candidates 
for office ? What restrictions are placed upon the governor ? 



CHAPTER VI 
MAINE'S FUTURE THROUGH GOOD GOVERNMENT 

The Foundation of Growth. We have now traced the de- 
velopment of Maine from an unknown wilderness inhabited 
only by Indians to a well-organized and well-governed agri- 
cultural and industrial state with a population of more than 
three-quarters of a million people. For the first two hundred 
years it was a story of hardship and uncertainty. Few people 
living in those days would have dared predict a future growth 
and prosperity such as Maine enjoys at the present time. Few 
indeed could even have hoped that Maine would occupy the 
prominent position that has been hers in national affairs through 
the influence of her brilliant sons in every branch of govern- 
ment. 

How can we imagine the feelings of those sturdy pioneers 
if they could have foreseen the changes which have occurred 
and the splendid achievements which we look upon as Maine 
enters the second century of her statehood ? What an inspira- 
tion it would have been to them as they struggled through the 
many dark days of conflict with the Indians if they could have 
known what the future held in store ! AVlio can estimate the 
effects upon our forefathers who fought for American liberty 
in the Revolutionary War or even upon the valiant citizens 
of Maine who went forth more recently to battle for the preser- 
vation of the Union in the Civil War if they could have known 
the extent to which their state would benefit because of their 
sacrifices? We seldom stop to consider this phase of our his- 
tory, yet we should remember that, in large measure, they 
should receive the credit for laying the foundation upon which 
has been reared the structure of our present commonwealth. 
The farms, the mills, the schools, the churches, the system of 

243 



244 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

government, in fact all of our finest and most cherished institu- 
tions would never have been possible except for the faith, the 
courage, and the determination of those early settlers and their 
followers. They sought in this new land to establish their 
homes where they would be assured of greater freedom than 
they had hitherto enjoyed. They came with hopeful hearts 
and remained true to their purpose in spite of the hardships 
which they were forced to endm-e. To them must we ascribe 
much of the spirit which has shown itself so strongly in the 
intervening years and which accounts for the rapid develop- 
ment of Maine, in common with other parts of the country, 
since our nation won its independence with the close of the 
Revolution. 

The Need of Greater Knowledge. Yet the Maine of to-day 
is even more interesting to us than the Maine of yesterday. 
We have a right to magnify the importance of the present over 
that of the past because it is our own and we ourselves have a 
part in its achievements. It is our duty to the ideal of Amer- 
ican citizenship to know as much as possible about the resources 
and government of the state in which we live. Good citizenship 
demands intelligence and a thorough knowledge of present 
conditions. We cannot think of real success coming to an 
individual who has only a very limited idea of the business in 
which he is engaged. Since a state is, after all, only a large 
group of individuals, it is essential to its growth that its citizens 
should be well informed about its business. They should know 
how its government is carried on, how its schools are managed, 
what are its sources of revenue, how its money is expended, and 
who are in positions of authority. They should know its nat- 
ural resources and the extent to which they have been utilized. 
They should be informed of the intelligent forces that are at 
work to bring about further prosperity and growth. On the 
other hand, they should also watch for any possible danger from 
legislative acts or commercial policies which might have the 
opposite tendency. By a constant study of the affairs of the 
state, they can insure its wise conduct. Ignorance and indif- 
ference place good government in danger of dissolution. 



MAINE'S FUTURE THROUGH GOOD GOVERNMENT 245 

Activities of the Present. To-day Maine stands in the front 
ranks in many lines of activity. Her system of education has 
developed slowly but steadily. It has produced thousands of 
men and women who have been called to important educational 
positions in other states, where the highest recognition has been 
accorded many of them. While this is in itself a compliment 
to Maine it is a situation which the state cannot afford to allow 
to continue. How to keep the strength of her citizenship for 
her own advancement is one of the problems which deserves 
most thoughtful consideration. 

Wliat is true of the product of Maine's schools and colleges 
is in large measure true also of her sons and daughters who have 
undertaken other vocations. The call of a larger field has 
drawn many of them away who would have remained and con- 
tributed their influence to the growth and prosperity of Maine 
if properly organized effort had been made to retain them. 
Now evidences multiply to indicate that just this kind of pro- 
gram is to be followed. The celebration of the centennial of 
statehood seemed to arouse a spirit of enthusiasm for Maine 
development which augurs well for the future. Yet we know 
that this seeming burst of sudden enthusiasm is actually only 
the culmination of years of progress. We find it admirably 
expressed, for example, in the splendid support which is given 
among the farmers to the Farm Bureaus now organized in every 
Maine county. These Bureaus cooperate with the College of 
Agriculture of the University of Maine and with the United 
States Department of Agriculture to carry on a vast amount 
of extension work, including that of all the boys' and girls' 
Agricultural Clubs. 

The State Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural League 
is actively engaged in a steady campaign to give the resources 
and opportunities of Maine the widest possible publicity. One 
of its primary objects is to make sure that the state does not 
suffer, as it has in the past, from lack of knowledge of its real 
worth, both among its own people and among those of other 
states. 

A Few Comparisons. The only measure by which we can 



246 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 

judge the future is through comparison of the present with the 
past. As we look back for a moment at the situation as it 
existed at the beginning of the first century of statehood and 
compare the conditions at that time with those which obtain 
at the close of the first hundred years, we may, perhaps, gauge 
something of what the next century holds in store. In 1820 
Maine had not a single railroad, not a pulp, paper, or cotton 
mill, not a woolen mill of any size, not a shoe factory, not a 
sardine factory, not a large lumber mill, — in fact not a single 
manufacturing establishment of large capacity. The power 
of the rivers had only begun to be harnessed. Good roads, 
electric light and power, automobiles, telephones, and dozens 
of other modern conveniences and necessities were unknown. 
Agriculture was carried on with practically no machinery except 
the plow, the harrow, the hoe, the handscythe, the wooden 
hayrake, and the flail. No one had ever seen a mowing machine, 
a reaper, a potato planter or digger, a seeder, a corn harvester, 
or a threshing machine. Gasoline or electric power on the 
farm was unthought of. The virile agricultural organizations, 
so common in Maine to-day, had never entered the minds of 
men. Such a thing as a summer hotel or a palatial summer 
cottage for recreation had not even been dreamed of as a factor 
in the growth of the many parts of the state which now receive 
millions of dollars annually from these sources. Nor was 
there any real conception at that time of the greatly increased 
area of the state which would be cleared and settled in the 
century to follow. 

What of the Future ? What shall be our answer to the ques- 
tion of future development for Maine which must come to each 
of us? The momentum that has now been gained may well 
give us a clue to what we may expect in the years ahead. If 
the wonderful material changes which we see about us have 
been possible with only the hope of an earnest people as a foun- 
dation, how can we estimate the possibilities of another hundred 
years with the splendid structure of present-day industry and 
government as the starting point? We can see but a short 
distance into the future and even then not without a somewhat 



MAINE'S FUTURE THROUGH GOOD GOVERNMENT 247 

clouded vision. Changes, the magnitude of which we have 
no idea, will most cei'tainly lake place. It is equally certain 
that developments will occur which will prove as astonishing 
to us as present-day marvels would have appeared to those who 
dwelt in Maine under the conditions existing a century ago. 
Just as surely as it is true that they did not foresee our advance- 
ment at the present time, so surely is it true that we cannot 
foretell the events which will make Maine great aliundred years 
hence. 

It is impossible, therefore, and consequently of little per- 
manent value to attempt a prediction other than with the 
idea that it will represent a random shot at a target whose loca- 
tion we have no means of knowing. Lt is safe to say, withal, 
that Maine will yet see a very great extension of its use- 
fulness, for example, as a summer vacation state. It is also 
certain that, with the constantly increasing cost of coal, the 
water-power of Maine, which has yet been less than half utilized, 
will be much more fully developed to furnish electric power 
for industrial plants. A wise policy, governing the method of 
development of this great natural resource, will be likely to 
make the difference between a great increase in Maine's wealth 
and population during the next half century and an unequal 
struggle to maintain her present position. 

Water-Power Development. It is doubtful if there is now 
any question more vital to the state's future growth than that 
of the method by which the power of its rivers and streams 
shall be utilized. Two methods now seem to be possible. 
The first would allow the electric current generated in Maine 
to be taken through long transmission lines to other states for 
the purpose of turning the wheels of industry there. The other 
is the retaining of that same power within its own borders to 
be used in operating factories which are either already located 
here, or which will come because of the power that is available. 
The former policy spells the doom of Maine's hopes for preemi- 
nence as a manufacturing state. The latter policy means assur- 
ance of growth and constantly increasing possibilities of service 
to the whole country. It means a new era for agriculture in 



248 



THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF MAINE 



the state because of more extensive local markets. It means 
a broadening of transportation facilities and the certain opening 
up for settlement of large tracts of land which now are partly 
forested but which are as rich as any already reclaimed from 
the wilderness. 

Forest Resources. With the water-power factor properly 
disposed of, we may look also for the ultimate utilization of the 
billions of feet of hard woods which are now of little value, but 
which may well prove a veritable mine of wealth when it becomes 
possible to manufacture them into furniture and other articles 




One of Our Forest Friends Photographed by Flashlight 

of usefulness. These lines of activity will bring others with 
them. We know not at this time just what they may be, but 
we may be sure that they will come. 

The Rising Star. To those who may say that the oppor- 
l^unity for future development in agriculture and industry in 
Maine is doubtful, let us state that we have seen only the begin- 
ning, and that it is much more likely that a brief space of time 
will show a far more rapid growth than during any previous 
period of her history. It is a rising and not a setting star 
that we confidently behold. Maine has seen the tide of pros- 
perity flow past her and spread itself over the great West, 
taking with it some of her choicest products of men and women. 
She now looks, at times, with anxious glance at the awakening 



MAINE'S FUTURE THROUGH GOOD GOVERNMENT 249 

of the southern states and perhaps dreads a repetition of the 
days when her sons departed to seek fortunes on the western 
prairies and in the mountains of the Pacific slope. But such 
fear is groundless. The tide is turning strongly again toward 
the shores of New England, and Maine, as a state therein, 
holds a position at the present time more strategic than at any 
other period, because it has many of the resources which are 
increasingly demanded by the people of our great and rapidly 
growing nation. 

The Promise of Education. With all these evidences, how- 
ever, of material prosperity in Maine, we should remember 
that the}^ alone cannot insure progress. This prosperity is 
possible only through the intelligent handling of a state's re- 
sources and its government. To this directive force, Maine, 
as well as every other state, must also look for the maintenance 
of its schools and the ideals of good citizenship expressed in its 
homes. The United States and each individual state, bearing 
part of the responsibility of insuring the permanence of the 
nation, must keep alive the true spirit of civic intelligence. 
Teachers, whether in the school or the home, must be encouraged 
to carry on the message of the fineness of American citizenship. 
Only through the training afforded by its educational facilities 
and great public institutions can Maine be assured that the 
benefits of prosperity will be distributed to the future genera- 
tions of its citizens by an intelligent government working for 
the permanent progress of the commonwealth. 



APPENDIX 

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MAINE 

formed in 

Convention at Portland, October 29, and Adopted by the People 

IN Town Meetings, 
December 6, a.d. 1819, and of the Independence of the United 

States th« Forty-fourth 

Preamble 

We, the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquillity, 
provide for our mutual defence, promote our common welfare, and secure 
to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with 
grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in 
affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring 
His aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves 
into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of 
Maine, and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the 
government of the same. 

Article I 

declaration of rights (sections 1-17 only) 

Section 1. All men are born equally free and independent, and have 
certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, among which are those 
of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and pro- 
tecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. 

Sec. 2. All power is inherent in the people; all free governments are 
founded in their authority and instituted for their benefit; they have 
therefore an unalienable and indefeasible right to institute government, 
and to alter, reform, or totally change the same, when their safety and 
happiness require it. 

Sec. 3. All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship 
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no 
one shall be hurt, molested or restrained in his person, liberty or estate 

i 



11 APPENDIX 

for worshiping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates 
of his own conscience, nor for his rehgious professions or sentiments, pro- 
vided he does not disturb the public peace, nor obstruct others in their 
religious worship ; — and all persons demeaning themselves peaceably, 
as good members of the State, shall be equally under the protection of the 
laws, and no subordination nor preference of any one sect or denomination 
to another shall ever be established by law, nor shall any religious test 
be required as a qualification for any office or trust, under this State; 
and all religious societies in this State, whether incorporate or vmincorpo- 
rate, shall at all tunes have the exclusive right of electing their public 
teachers, and contracting with them for their support and maintenance. 

Sec. 4. Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his senti- 
ments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of this liberty; no 
laws shall be passed regulating or restraining the freedom of the press; 
and in prosecutions for any publication respecting the official conduct of 
men in public capacity, or the qualifications of those who are candidates 
for the suffrages of the people, or where the matter published is proper for 
public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence, and in all 
indictments for libels, the Jury, after having received the direction of 
the Court, shall have a right to determine, at their discretion, the law 
and the fact. 

Sec. 5. The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers 
and possessions from all unreasonable searches and seizures; and no 
warrant to search any place, or seize any person or thing, shall issue with- 
out a special designation of the place to be searched, and the person or 
thing to be seized, nor without probable cause — supported by oath or 
affirmation. 

Sec. 6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to 
be heard by himself and his counsel, or either, at his election ; 

To demand the natiu-e and cause of the accusation, and have a copy 
thereof ; 

To be confronted by the witnesses against him ; 

To have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor ; 

To have a speedy, public and impartial trial, and, except in trials by 
martial law or impeachment, by a jury of the vicinity. He shall not be 
compelled to furnish or give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of 
his life, liberty, property or privileges, but by judgment of his peers, or 
by the law of the land. 

Sec. 7. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jiu-y, except in cases 



APPENDIX 111 

of impeacliment, or in such cases of offences as are usually cognizable by 
a justice of the peace, or in cases arising in the army or navy, or in the 
militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. The 
Legislature shall provide by law a suitable and impartial mode of selecting 
juries and their usual number and unanimity, in indictments and con- 
victions, shall be held indispensable. 

Sec. 8. No person, for the same offense, shall be twice put in jeopardy 
of life or limb. 

Sec. 9. Sanguinary laws shall not be passed ; all penalties and punish- 
ments shall be proportioned to the offence; excessive bail shall not be 
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel nor unusual punishments 
inflicted. 

Sec. 10. No person before conviction shall be bailable for any of the 
crimes, which now are, or have been denominated capital offenses since the 
adoption of the Constitution, where the proof is evident or the presumption 
great, whatever the pimishment of the crimes may be. And the privilege 
of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases 
of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 

Sec. 11. The Legislatm-e shall pass no bill of attainder, ex post facto 
law, nor law impairing the obligation of contracts, and no attainder shall 
work corruption of blood nor forfeitm-e of estate. 

Sec. 12. Treason against this State shall consist only in levying war 
against it, adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No 
person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses 
to the same overt act, or confession in open coiu-t. 

Sec. 13. The laws shall not be suspended but by the Legislature or its 
authority. 

Sec. 14. No person shall be subject to corporal punishment under 
military law, except such as are employed in the army or navy, or in the 
militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. 

Sec. 15. The people have a right at all times in an orderly and peaceable 
manner to assemble to consult upon the common good, to give instruc- 
tions to their representatives, and to request, of either department of the 
government by petition or remonstrance, redress of their wrongs and 
grievances. 

Sec. 16. Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms for the com- 
mon defence; and this right shall never be questioned. 

Sec. 17. No standing army shall be kept up in time of peace without 
the consent of the Legislature, and the military shall, in all cases, and at 
all times, be in strict subordination to the civil power. 



IV 



APPENDIX 



GOVERNORS OF MAINE SINCE FORMATIOxN OF 
CONSTITUTION 



1820. William King, Bath (rs.). 

1821. Wm. D. Williamson, Bangor, 

Acting (rs.). 

1821. Benjamin Ames, Bath, Act- 

ing. 

1822. Albion K. Parris, Paris. 
1827. Enoch Lincoln, Portland (d.). 

1829. Nathan Cutler, Farmington, 

Acting. 

1830. Joshua Hall, Frankfort, Act- 

ing. 

1830. Jona. G. Hunton, Readfield. 

1831. Samuel E. Smith, Wiscasset. 
1834. Robert P. Dunlap, Bruns- 
wick. 

1838. Edward Kent, Bangor. 

1839. John Fairfield, Saco. 

1841. Edward Kent, Bangor. 

1842. John Fairfield, Saco. 

1843. John Fairfield, Saco (rs., 

elected to U. S. Senate). 

1843. Edw. Kavanagh, Newcastle, 

Acting. 

1844. Hugh J. Anderson, Belfast. 
1847. John W. Dana, Fryeburg. 
1850. John Hubbard, Hallowell. 
1853. William G. Crosby, Belfast. 

1855. Anson P. Morrill, Readfield. 

1856. Samuel Wells, Portland. 

1857. Hannibal Hamlin, Hampden 

(rs., elected to U. S. Senate). 



18.58. Jos. H. Williams, Augusta, 

Acting. 
1858. Lot M. Morrill, Augusta. 
1861. Israel Washburn, Jr., Orono. 

1863. Abner Coburn, Sko\\-]iegan. 

1864. Samuel Cony, Augusta. 
1867. Joshua L. Chamberlain, 

Brunswick. 
1871. Sidney Perham, Paris. 
1874. Nelson Dingley, Jr., Lewiston. 
1876. Selden Connor, Augusta. 

1879. Alonzo Garcelon, Lewiston. 

1880. Daniel F. Davis, Corinth, 

1881. Harris M. Plaisted, Bangor. 
1883. Frederick Robie, Gorham. 
1887. Joseph R. Bodwell, Hallowell, 

died Dec. 15, 1887. 

1887. S. S. Marble, Waldoboro, Act- 
ing. 

1889. Edwin C. Burleigh, Bangor. 

1893. Henry B. Cleaves, Portland. 

1897. Llewellyn Powers, Houlton. 

1901. John Fremont Hill, Augusta. 

1905. William T. Cobb, Rockland. 

1909. Bert M. Fernald, Poland. 

1911. Frederick W. Plaisted, Au- 
gusta. 

1913. William T. Haines, Water- 
ville. 

1915. Oakley C. Curtis, Portland. 

1917. Carl E. Milliken, Island Falls. 



REFERENCE TABLE OF STATISTICS 

The following facts of a statistical nature are here grouped together for 
reference. Some of them are included in the body of the book and are 
fairly permanent, but others are subject to change from year to year. 
For this reason many of the items are given in round numbers since the 



APPENDIX V 

pvtrpose is simply to convey a very general idea. Teachers should consult 
sources of first-hand information, as indicated in the exercises at the end 
of the chapters, if it is desired to gain more than a general idea of the 
situation at any particular time. 

History 

1000. Coast of Maine probably visited by men from northern Europe. 

1602. Coast visited by Bartholomew Gosnold. 

1603. Exploration of Pfenobscot Bay by Martin Pring. 
1607. Unsuccessful Popham colony at mouth of Kennebec. 
1614. Voyage of Captain John Smith along Maine coast. 

1616. Settlement at Saco which may have been the first permanent one. 
1639. The name Province of Maine officially bestowed by charter of 

King Charles I of England to Sir Ferdinando Gorges. 
1647. Kittery incorporated as first town. 
1652. Maine passed under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 
1675. King Philip's War. 
1689. Beginning of French and Indian Wars. 
1759. Close of French and Indian Wars. 
1775. Benedict Arnold's expedition through Maine. 
1820. Maine admitted to the Union. 
1832. Augusta made the state capital. 
1838-39. Aroostook War. 
1842. Webster-Ashburton Treaty which settled northeastern boundary 

dispute. 
1851. Enactment of prohibitory law. 
1873. Enactment of free high school law. 
1884. Prohibition made a part of the state constitution. 
1887. First effective compulsory education law enacted. 
1889. Enactment of law providing free school textbooks. 
1893. School district system abolished. 
1907. Unsuccessful attempt to make Portland the state capital. 

1916. Second Maine Regiment sent to Mexican border. 

1917. July 4. Second Maine Regiment mobilized at Augusta. 
August 5. Drafted into Federal service. 

August 19. Left Maine for Westfield, Massachusetts. 
September 25. Sailed from New York for Europe. 

1918. February 6 — November 11. Regiment in action in France. 

1919. April 5-7. Regiment landed in Boston. 

1920. March 15. One hundredth anniversary of Maine statehood. 



VI APPENDIX 

Geography 

Area of state — 33,040 square miles, of which 3145 square miles is water. 
Greatest length — 303 miles; greatest width — 215 miles. 
Length of coast in straight line — about 250 miles. 
Length of coast, if irregularities are followed — about 2500 miles. 
Number of counties — 16. 

Largest county — Aroostook — 6408 square miles. 
Number of towns, cities, and plantations — 519. 
Number of cities — 20 ; the largest city — Portland. 
Highest mountain — Katahdin — 5273 feet. 

Principal rivers — Androscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot, St. John, St. 
Croix. 

Largest and longest river — Penobscot. 

Number of lakes — over 1600. 

Largest lake — Moosehead — about 115 square miles. 

Education 

Number of persons between 5 and 21 years of age included in school 
census — 229,438. 

Number of pupils enrolled in all schools — 167,858. 

Number of pupils enrolled in elementary schools — 145,495. 

Number of pupils enrolled in secondary schools — 22,363. 

Number of elementary schools — 4636. 

Number of high schools — 204. 

Number of academies — 50. 

Number of one-room schools — 2269. 

Number of teachers employed — about 6000. 

Annual cost of public schools — about $6,000,000. 

Number of state normal schools — 5. 

Number of colleges and universities — 4. 

Industries 

Agriculture 

Number of farms — about 60,000. 

Principal farm crops Avith annual production — hay, 1,500,000 tons; 
corn, 1,000,000 bushels; wheat, 600,000 bushels; oats, 7,000,000 bushels; 
buckwheat, 400,000 bushels; barley, 200,000 bushels; potatoes, 20 to 30 
million bushels; apples, 500,000 to 2,000,000 barrels. 

Livestock — horses, 120,000; sheep, 110,000; cattle, 285,000. 



APPENDIX Vll 

Lumber 

Number of acres of forest — lo,000,OOU. 
Annual lumber cut — 1 billion feet. 
Available supply of timber — 35 billion feet. 
Amount of spruce — 25 billion feet. 
Amount of pine — 6 billion feet. 
Amount of cedar — 3 billion feet. 
Amoimt of hemlock — 1 billion feet. 

Fisheries 
Principal kinds of fish — cod, haddock, hake, lobsters, clams, herring 
(sardines). 
Number of sardine packing establishments — 35. 
Value of sardine pack per year — about $10,000,000. 
Value of other fisheries per year — about $4,000,000. 

Pulp and Paper 

Number of pulp and paper plants — 37. 

Number of towns or cities having plants — 28. 

Number of employees — 13,000. 

Amount of invested capital — $90,000,000. 

Value of product — $100,000,000. 

Annual payroll of employees — $13,000,000. 

Valuation of plants for taxation — $14,500,000. 

Number of cords of pulpwood annually consumed — 1,250,000. 

Cotton Goods 

Number of cotton mills — 13. 

Number of towns and cities having mills — 9. v 

Number of operatives employed — 15,000. 

Amount of invested capital — $40,000,000. 

Value of product — $40,000,000. 

Annual payroll of employees — $10,000,000. 

Valuation of plants for taxation — $13,500,000. 

Number of spindles — 950,000. 

Woolen Goods 

Number of woolen mills — 66. 

Number of towns and cities having mills — 37. 

Number of employees — 11,000. 

Amount of invested capital — $20,000,000. 



Vlll APPENDIX 

Value of product — $50,000,000. 

Annual payroll of employees — $10,000,000. 

Valuation of mills for taxation — $5,000,000. 

Boots and Shoes 
Number of boot and shoe factories — 40. 
Number of towns and cities having factories — 17. 
Number of employees — 12,000. 
Amount of invested capital — $9,000,000. 
Value of product — $40,000,000. 
Annual payroll of employees — $7,500,000. 

Corn Packing Plants 
Number of plants — 76. 
Number of employees — 1300. 
Invested capital — $2,000,000. 
Value of product — $3,000,000. 

Brickyards 

Number of yards — 37. 
Value of product — $3,000,000. 

Lime 
Number of factories — 5. 
Value of product — $1,000,000. 

Other Industries 

Granite, slate, canneries, various branches of lumber manufacture. 
On none of these are reasonably satisfactory statistics available. 

Water-Poiver 

Estimated number of horsepower possible from all power sites — 
1,000,000. 
Horsepower already developed — 400,000. 
Horsepower developed on Androscoggin — 121,000. 
Horsepower developed on Penobscot — 87,000. 
Horsepower developed on Kennebec — 64,000. 

Transportation 

Number of miles of steam railroads in the state — 2299. 
Number of miles of electric railroads — 508. 
Number of miles of highway — 25,530. 



INDEX 



Academies, 92 

Acadia, land of, 8, 10 

Acadian exiles, 35 

Accident Commission, duties of, 210 

Adjutant general, duties of, 211 

Admission of Maine to union, 44 

Agricultural products, 128 

Agriculture, commissioner of, 188, 201 

Androscoggin, county of, 43 ; river, 117 

Animals, early, 5 

Area of Maine, 113 

Arnold's tfiarch through Maine, 40 

Aroostook, county of, 45, .50, 51, 55 

Aroostook War, 48 

Assessors, duties of state, 200 

Attorney, county, 181 ; general, 188, 
200 

Auditor, state, 187, 200 

Augusta, first fort at, 29 ; Fort West- 
ern at, 33, 40 ; made state capi- 
tal, 47 

Ballots, forms of election, 237, 239 
Bangor, invaded by British, 44 ; 

lumber market at, 134 
Bank commissioner, duties of, 212 
Bath Iron Works, 148 
Battle flags, the returned Maine, 53 
Belfast, invaded by British, 44 
Bigelow, Mt., 41 

Blaine, James G., 104 ; home of, 48 
Blind, Maine school for, 225 
Bloodless war, 51 
Boothbay, settlement of, 13, 38 
Boots and shoes, manufacture of, 145 
Boundaries of Maine, 3, 13 
Boys, state school for, 224 
Browne, Charles F., 107 

Camps for boys and girls, 158 

Canning establishments, 149 

Cape Elizabeth, town of, 38 

Cape Porpoise, town of, 19 

Capital, Portland first, 47 

Capitol building, 47, 48 

Castine, first settlement of, 13 ; Baron 

de, 25; invaded by British, 41, 

44 ; made headquarters by French, 

16 ; normal school at, 85 
Casualties of Maine men in World 

War, 63 
Certificates, state teachers', 89 



Chamberlain, Joshua L., 55 

(^hamplain, Samuel de, 9 

Charities and corrections, board of, 213 

Child labor, 84 

Citations of Maine men in World 
War, 64 

Cities, government of, 174 ; num- 
ber and names of, 115 

Civil War, 52 

Colleges, 94 ; Bates, 95 ; Bowdoin, 
94 ; Colby, 95 

Colonies, first attempted, 6, 12 

Commissions; highway, 214; in- 
dustrial accident, 210 ; public 
utilities, 208 ; sea and shore fisher- 
ies, 223 

Commissioner, county, 179 ; of agri- 
culture, 188, 201 ; of fish and 
game, 218; of forests, 203; of 
health, 205; of insurance, 207; 
labor and industry, 202 ; of live 
stock, 222 

Committee, school, 77 

Committees of the legislature, 189 

Compensation of workmen, 210 

Compulsory education, 72, 83 

Congi'ess, Maine members of, 240 

Constitution, state, 183 

Convention, first state teachers', 71 

Coroners, 181 

Cotton, manufacture of, 143 

Council, governor's, 187, 197 ; pub- 
lic health, 205 

Counties, government of, 179 ; names 
of, 114; organization dates of, 
43 ; seats of, 179 

County attorney, 181 

Courts, federal, 196 ; municipal, 194 ; 
probate, 194 ; superior, 193 ; su- 
preme, 193 

Courts, jurisdiction of, 186 

Crops, agricultural, 131, 132 

Cumberland County, 43 

Cushnoc, fort at, 29 

Damariscotta, settlement of, 13 
Deaf, Maine school for, 225 
Deeds, register of, 180 
Dingley, Nelson, Jr., 106 
Dirigo, state motto, 47 
District of Maine, 42 



IX 



X 



INDEX 



District school system, 73 
Dix, Dorothea, 109 
Dow, Neal, 107 
Dummer's Treaty, 32 

Eastport, invaded by British, 44 
Education, compulsory, 72, 83 ; his- 
tory of Maine, 67 ; industrial 
and vocational, 88 ; present sys- 
tem of, 75; physical, 91; state 
board of, 70 
Elections, county and state, 235 ; 
X date of state, 238 ; primary, 230 ; 

town and city, 234 
Executive department, 180 
Expenditure of public funds, 229 
Explorations, 3, 6 

Fairs, agricultural, 133 

Falmouth, town of, 33 

Farmington, normal school at, 85 

Farms, number and products of, 132 

Feeble minded, school for, 224 

Fessenden, William P., 104 

Fish and game, commissioner of, 

218; protection of, 219 
Fish hatcheries, 220 
Fisheries, 137, 223 
Fire prevention, 203, 207 
Forest commissioner, 203 
Fort Kent, training school at, 85 
Forts ; Fairfield, 51 ; Halifax, 33 ; 

Kent, 51 ; Western, 33 ; William 

Henry, 25 
Franklin County, 43 
French, and Acadia, 8 ; and Indian 

Wars, 21, 24; at Castine, 16; 

at Mt. Desert, 12; at Port Royal, 

8 ; end of control in America, 34 ; 

relations with the Indians, 18 
Frye, William P., 108 
Fuller, Melville W., 108 
Funds, expenditure and source of 

state, 229, 230 

Game, commissioner of, 218 ; pro- 
tection of, 219 

Geography of Maine, 113 

Girls, state school for, 224 

Gorgeana, city of, 15 

Gorges, Sir Ferdinando, 8, 12, 13, 
14, 15 

Gorham, normal school at, 85 

Gosnold, exploration by, 6 

Government, of cities, 174 ; of coun- 
ties, 179 ; of plantations, 172 ; 
of state, 183 ; of towns, 165 



Government of Maine, 163 

Governor, duties of, 197 ; election 
of, 187 ; first, 47 ; inauguration 
of, 188 ; mansion of, 48 ; tabula- 
tion of. Appendix 

Grand jury, 195 

Granite industry, 150 

Grant to Plymouth Company, 8 

Halifax, Fort, 33 

Hamlin, Hannibal, 105 

Hancock County, 14, 43 

Health, commissioner of, 205 

High schools, 72, 82 

Highway commission, 214 

Highways, state, 214 

Hospitals, for insane, 223 ; state 

aid for local, 225 
Howard, Gen. O. O., 55 
Hume, Col. Frank M., 62 

Ice-cutting, 151 

Indians, early, 6 ; relations of Eng- 
lish and French with, 12, 18 

Indian reservations, 225 

Indian wars, 21 

Industrial accident commission, 210 

Industrial education, 88 

Industries of Maine, 128 

Initiative, operation of law, 191 

Institutions, state, 223 

Insurance commissioner, 207 

Invasion of Maine by British, 40, 
41, 44 

Iron mines, 150 

Judge of probate, 181 
Judges, state, county, and munic- 
ipal, 186 
Judicial department, 186 
Jury, grand, 195 

Kellogg, Elijah, 110 
Kennebec County, 43 
Kennebec River, 117; first settle- 
ment on, 8 
King, William, first governor, 47 
King Philip's War, 21 
Kittery, first town, 19 
Knox County, 43 
Knox, Gen. Henry, 106 

Labor and industry, commissioner 

of, 202 
Lafayette National Park, 156 
Lakes of Maine, 117 
Land agent, duties of, 203 
Law court, 193 



INDEX 



XI 



Laws, how made, 189 

Legislature, first, 47 ; make-up of, 

185; meeting of, 187 
Lexington of the seas, 42 
Librarian, state, 201 
Libraries, state traveling, 201 
Library commission, 202 
Lime, manufacture of, 149 
Lincoln County, 43 
Live stock sanitary commissioner, 

222 
Loan and building associations, 212 
Longfellow, Henry W., 103 
Lovejoy, Elijah P., Ill 
Lovewell's fight, 31 
Lumber resources, 133 

Machias, invaded by British, 41 ; 
normal school at, 85 

Madawaska, Acadians at, 35 ; terri- 
tory, 48 ; training school, 85 

Maine, origin of name, 14 

Manufactures, 141 

Massachusetts, assumes control of 
Maine, 15; Bay Colony, 16; loses 
control of Mtiine, 16 ; separa- 
tion from, 42, 44 

Maxim, Hiram S., 109; Hudson, 
109 

McCulloch, Hugh, 110 

Medical examiners, 181 ; inspec- 
tion, 91 

Medical School of Maine, 94 

Mexico, Maine troops sent to, 57 

Milliken, Governor, 59 

Mining, 150 

Missouri Compromise, 45 

Money, expenditures and receipts 
of state, 229, 230 

Monhegan, settlement of, 6 

Moosehead Lake, 120, 157 

Mothers' aid, provision for, 214 

Motto of state, 47 

Mountains of Maine, 116 

Mt. Desert Island, 9, 12, 155 

Mt. Katahdin, 116 

Municipal courts, 194 

New England, named by John Smith, 

12 
New Sweden, settlement of, 56 
Nordica, Lillian, 108 
Normal schools, 71, 85 
Norridgewock, expedition against, 

30 ; French mission at, 18 ; Rasle's 

mission at, 29 
Nye, Edgar Wilson, 110 



Oaklands, estate in Gardiner, 138 
Officers, county, 179 ; state, 187, 

197; town, 170 
Orphans, Bath asylum for, 224 
Owen, Moses, 53 
Oxford County, 43 

Paper, manufacture of, 141 

Parris, Albion K., 47 

Peary, Robert E., 110 

Pemaquid, captured by French, 25; 

Fort William Henry at, 24 ; settled, 

12 
Penobscot, bay explored, 6, 9 ; county, 

14, 43, 45; river, 117 
Pensions, for teachers, 90 ; for Maine 

soldiers and sailors, 223 
Physical education, 91 
Piscataqua River, 13, 19 
Piscataquis County, 45 
Plantations, government of, 172 ; 

number of, 115 
Plymouth Company, 8, 13 
Political parties, 234 
Popham colony, 8 
Population of Maine, 33, 42, 43, 45, 

52, 55 
Portland, destroyed by British, 40 ; 

first capital, 47 
Port Royal, captured by English, 

23 ; settled by French, 8 
Preble, Commodore Edward, 105 
Presque Isle, normal school at, 85 
Primary elections, 236 
Pring, explorations by, 6 
Prison, state, 224 
Probate court, 181, 194 
Probation officers, 182 
Prohil)ition of liquor sale, 52 
Province of Maine, 14 
Public buildings, superintendent of, 

222 
Public revenue, sources of, 229 , 
Public utilities commission, 208 
Pulp mills, 141 

Quarries, 150 

Quebec, Arnold's expedition to, 40 

Queen Anne's War, 27 

Railroads, 123 

Rasle, Norridgewock mission of, 29 
Reed, Thomas B., 107 
Referendum, law providing for, 191 
Reformatory, for men, 225; for 
women, 224 



Xll 



INDEX 



Register of deeds, 180 
Representatives, in Congress, 240 ; 

in state legislature, 185 
Resorts, summer, 153 
Returned Maine Battle Flags, 53 
Revenue, state, 229 
Revolutionary war, 38, 42 
Rivers of Maine, 117 
Roads, state, 214 
Rural teacher training, 91 



12; 



in- 



commis- 



Saco, first settlement at 
corporated, 19 

Sagadahoc County, 43 

St. Croix River, 13 

St. John River, 35 

Sanatoriums, state, 224 

Schools, and child labor, 84 ; dis- 
trict system abolished, 73 ; ex- 
penditures for, 71 ; in unorganized 
territory, 79; high, 72, 82; his- 
tory of Maine system of, 67 ; money 
for, 84; normal, 71, 85; officers 
of, 77, 81 ; present system of, 
75; standards for Maine, 97; 
state funds for, 84 ; state super- 
intendent of, 71, 76; statistics 
of, 71 ; superintendent of, 78, 81 ; 
textbooks for, 73 

Sea and shore fisheries 
sion, 223 

Seal of Maine, 47 

Second Maine regiment, 57, 62 

Secretary of state, 198 

Senators, in Congress, 240 ; in state 
legislature, 186 

Separation from Massachusetts, 42, 44 

Settlements, first attempted, 6, 12, 13 

Sheriff, duties of, 180 

Shipbuilding, 146 

Shoes, manufacture of, 145 

Sieur de Monts, 9 

Slate quarries, 150 

Smith, Captain John, 12 

Somerset County, 43 

State government, 183 ; officers, 187, 
197 

State house, 47, 48 

Summer camps, 158; resorts, 152 

Superior courts, 193 

Supreme court, 193 

Surface of Maine, 116 

Swedish settlements, 56 

Taconnet, fort at, 33 

Teachers, certificates for, 89 ; pen- 



sions for, 90; training of rural, 
91 

Thomas, W. W. Jr., 56 

Thomaston, fort at, 29 

Towns, first incorporated, 19 ; gov- 
ernment of, 165 ; number of, 43, 45. 
115 

Transportation system, 121 

Treasurer, state, 188, 199 

Treaty, Dummer's, 32 ; Webster-Ash- 
burton, 35, 50 

Tuberculosis, sanatoriums, 224 

Union of towns for school super- 
vision, 78, 79 

University of Maine, 94 

Unorganized territory, schools in, 
79 

Unorganized townships, 115, 173 

Vocational education, 88 
Voters, who may become, 240 
Voting, method of, 236, 238 

War, Aroostook, 48 ; between France 
and England, 27, 33; Civil, 52; 
French and Indian, 21 ; King 
Philip's, 21; of 1812, 43; Queen 
Anne's, 27 ; Revolutionary, 38 ; 
World, 58 
Ward, Artemus, 107 
Wardens, fire, 203; fish, 223; game, 

218 
Warfare, method of Indian, 21 
Washburn, Elihu B. and Israel, 106 
Washington County, 43 
Water-powers, 140 
Webster-Ashburton Treaty, 35, 50 
Western, Fort, 33, 40 
Weymouth, explorations by, 6 
Wild lands, 115 
William Henry, Fort, 25 
Winslow, fort at, 33 
Women, reformatory for, 224 
Woolen goods, manufacture of, 144 
Workmen's compensation law, 210 
World War, Maine in the, 58 

York County, 43 

York, city of Gorgeana established 
at, 15; incorporated, 19; sends 
first company of soldiers to Re- 
volutionary War, 40; settled by 
Gorges, 13 

Yorkshire County, 16 20 



V^'- 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





013 983 440 9 



